Numerical simulation including model validation of wind flow in alpine terrain in eastern Switzerland

摘要

A model for the simulation of wind flow in alpine terrain is presented. The model is based on the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations using a κ-ε turbulence model. Additional terms are implemented in the energy equation to describe dry adiabatic cooling in the atmosphere. The orography and flora of the Earth's surface are described by high resolution data from swisstopo. Boundary and initial conditions are based on mesoscale simulation data from the COSMO-2 weather model of the MeteoSwiss. Various nestings with different grid resolutions are used to simulate wind flow in the region between Vaduz and Landquart located in Liechtenstein and Switzerland, respectively. The model is validated with light detecting and ranging (LIDAR) and cup anemometer velocity measurements from three locations for a specific foehn weather situation. Finally, the model is used to get a first indication of potential locations for the placement of wind turbines.