The OWA has launched an Invitation to Tender for companies, academics and consortia to study the key atmospheric challenges associated with using very tall wind turbines.  

As turbines become taller, they will more frequently operate close to or above the top of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). This is expected to impact the yield and performance of individual turbines and wind farms in ways which are currently not fully understood. Such impacts include but are not limited to:  

• Increased risk of blade icing due to operation in clouds
• Increased risk of strong shear and veer, especially where part of the rotor is above the top of the ABL
• Changed wake behaviour due to the flow above the ABL being essentially non-turbulent
• Challenges in characterising the wind resource if aerosol content is substantially reduced above the top of the ABL
• The effects of gravity waves on array efficiency

The purpose of the project is to understand these effects, and any others that contractors identify as significant, such that the OWA Partners can manage the associated risks when designing future wind farms.

The deadline for clarification questions is 11 April.

The closing date to receive tender submissions is 2 May at 14.00 GMT

*All clarification questions and tender submissions should be sent electronically, by their respective deadlines to tom.wishart@carbontrust.com. 

*No clarification questions were received.