CFD Simulation for Wind Turbine Installation in an Urban Area

Abstract

Generating renewable energy locally in urban areas is vital for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). Small wind turbines are increasingly recognized as practical and effective solutions for harnessing renewable energy in urban environments. This research employed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to investigate an urban area earmarked for wind turbine installation, specifically focusing on buildings within the Faculty of Engineering at Mahidol University, Thailand. Velocity distribution was analyzed to simulate non-uniform airflow typical of urban wind conditions, considering various wind speeds and directions. The study revealed that the velocity field distribution varied significantly with different wind directions. Moreover, optimal rooftops for wind turbine placement were identified, highlighting the importance of strategic installations. Specifically, rooftops with turbulence intensity (TI) ≤ 0.15 were found suitable for horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs) positioned 8.6 m above the EG3 building. Below this threshold, vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) were recommended to harness flow recirculation within the roof area.