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Aeroelastic model simulations are essential for the design of wind turbines. Validation of these models is important to have confidence in the results of the models. It is a challenge to ensure that the input for the simulations, that is the wind field, corresponds as closely as possible to the real conditions during the measurement. We present the latest results of a validation campaign at an 8 MW wind turbine. We investigate the appropriateness of TurbSim’s constrained turbulence model TIMESR for model validation and compare the validation results with the Kaimal turbulence model with a focus on power performance. TIMESR wind resulted in a slightly lower power performance in the part-load region than Kaimal wind. In contrast, the rotor speed showed a good agreement with measurements both using TIMESR wind as well as using Kaimal wind. Additionally, the linear regression result implies that the constrained turbulence wind field enables the model to reproduce a specific 10 min measurement. However, up to know the simulations show a consistently lower power in the part load region, which might result from a systematic error in the validation chain.

The analysis of wind turbines relies on aero-hydro-servo-elastic simulation tools. OC3, 4, 5, 6 projects showed that much effort is required to obtain consistency in numerical models set up and the agreement in the simulation results. To mitigate the uncertainty in the model setup and to reduce the time spent on its verification, a robust verification procedure is necessary. The presented verification procedure provides a structured and efficient way of checking and comparing aeroelastic wind turbine models. In case a discrepancy between the two models or the model and documentation is found, a procedure for finding the source of this discrepancy is suggested. During several successful applications of the presented verification procedure, it proved to reduce the effort, the number of iteration loops and thus the consumed time that is required to achieve a verified model.

The main objective of the Offshore Code Comparison Collaboration Continuation, with Correlation (OC5) project, is validation of aero-hydro-servo-elastic simulation tools for offshore wind turbines (OWTs) through comparison of simulated results to the response data of physical systems. Phase III of the OC5 project analyzes the Senvion 5M wind turbine supported by the OWEC Quattropod from the alpha ventus offshore wind farm. This paper shows results of the verification of the OWT models (code-to-code comparison). A subsequent publication will focus on their validation (comparison of simulated results to measured physical system response data). Based on the available data, the participants of Phase III set up numerical models of the OWT in their simulation tools. It was necessary to verify and to tune these models. The verification and tuning were performed against an OWT model available at the University of Stuttgart – Stuttgart Wind Energy (SWE) and documentation provided by Senvion and OWEC Tower. A very good match was achieved between the results from the reference SWE model and models set up by OC5 Phase III participants.