Wind Farm Optimization: Heat & Flux

 

During his PhD research, Corten discovered that a wind turbine does not extract 16/27 of the kinetic energy from the wind, as traditionally believed, but actually 50% more—24/27 (see Publications/PhD Thesis). The additional 8/27 is lost as inherent heat dissipation in the wake.

Crucially, Corten found that this heat loss is not fixed—it can be controlled. This insight was particularly important for wind farms, where wake losses can exceed 30%.   

Corten: "Wind farm yield Increases and Loads Reduce by Operating the Front Row Wind Turbines below the Classic Optimum".

 

These advantages can be achieved by reducing the induction factor (a) for the upwind turbines. This decreases energy loss as heat and increases the overall flux through the wind farm (Heat & Flux), leading to higher yield. Additionally, lower induction directly reduces the loads on the upwind turbines and minimizes wake turbulence, reducing the loads on the downstream turbines.

 

Recognizing its significance, the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) supported further investigation, as large wind farms were being planned at the time. Corten subsequently founded ECN’s first Wind Farm Research Group.

 

The accompanying images show wind farm experiments conducted in a wind tunnel. At the time, TNO had an atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel, which was ideally suited for these studies.

Corten played a key role in drafting the patent for this discovery—it was the first time he authored a patent himself, with guidance from a patent attorney.