One-year observations of the wind distribution and low-level jet occurrence at Braunschweig, North German Plain

authored by
A. Lampert, B. Bernalte Jimenez, G. Gross, D. Wulff, T. Kenull
Abstract

A data set consisting of one-year vertical profiles of horizontal wind speed obtained with lidar at Braunschweig Airport, North German Plain, is analyzed with respect to the low-level jet (LLJ). The observations reveal a typical LLJ altitude between 80 and 360 m, a frequency of occurrence up to almost 9% for some altitudes, and a typical wind speed between 4 and 9 m s−1. LLJ events occurred most frequently in summer during the night. In the winter, LLJs were observed both during day and night. The Weibull distribution for wind speed is presented for different heights. The most probable wind speed of the Weibull distribution increases from 4 m s−1 at 40 m altitude to values exceeding 7 m s−1 for altitudes above 240 m. There is a significant difference for the Weibull parameters determined with a monthly, seasonal and annual data set. The contribution of the LLJ to the overall wind speed distribution is analyzed. An LLJ event occurred on 52% of the days over the year, with a total measurement time of 739 h. As the typical rated speed for onshore wind turbines is in the range from 11.5 to 14.5 m s−1 and the typical hub height is in the range of 100 to 150 m, it can be expected that wind turbines are affected by the LLJ.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Meteorology and Climatology
External Organisation(s)
Technische Universität Braunschweig
Type
Article
Journal
WIND ENERGY
Volume
19
Pages
1807-1817
No. of pages
11
ISSN
1095-4244
Publication date
06.09.2016
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1002/we.1951 (Access: Closed)