Journal Description
Wind
Wind
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on wind-related technologies, environmental and sustainability studies published quarterly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within ESCI (Web of Science), Scopus, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: CiteScore - Q2 (Engineering (miscellaneous))
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 23.7 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 9.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2026).
- Recognition of Reviewers: APC discount vouchers, optional signed peer review, and reviewer names published annually in the journal.
- Journal Cluster of Energy and Fuels: Energies, Batteries, Hydrogen, Biomass, Electricity, Wind, Fuels, Gases, Solar, ESA, Bioresources and Bioproducts and Methane.
Impact Factor:
2.7 (2025);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.6 (2025)
Latest Articles
Improved YOLOv8n-Based Model for Wind Turbine Blade Defect Detection
Wind 2026, 6(3), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030044 - 20 Aug 2026
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Wind turbine blade defect detection in complex environments is challenged by weak defect features, missed crack detections, and false detections caused by background interference. To address these problems, this study proposes an improved YOLOv8n-based detection model. First, MS-CBAM is introduced before the SPPF
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Wind turbine blade defect detection in complex environments is challenged by weak defect features, missed crack detections, and false detections caused by background interference. To address these problems, this study proposes an improved YOLOv8n-based detection model. First, MS-CBAM is introduced before the SPPF module to enhance channel-wise feature refinement and multi-scale spatial feature extraction. Second, four stride-2 downsampling convolutional layers in the backbone are replaced with EPConv, which combines efficient multi-scale channel attention with directional pinwheel-shaped convolution to strengthen the representation of weak and elongated defects. Finally, the original CIoU loss is replaced with PIoU v2 to improve bounding-box regression. Experiments on a self-constructed wind turbine blade defect dataset show that the proposed model achieves a precision of 92.1%, a recall of 85.1%, an mAP0.5 of 90.7%, and an mAP0.5:0.95 of 68.0%. Compared with the original YOLOv8n, these values represent improvements of 0.4, 5.9, 3.9, and 5.2 percentage points, respectively. The model contains approximately 3.0 M parameters, requires 8.9 GFLOPs, and achieves a network-forward inference speed of 77.1 FPS on an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU. Class-wise evaluation further shows that crack AP0.5 increases from 78.4% to 85.0%, while crack AP0.5:0.95 increases from 50.7% to 55.9%. These results demonstrate that the proposed modifications improve the detection and localization of weak and elongated defects while maintaining real-time inference capability on the tested GPU platform.
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Open AccessArticle
Wind-Shear-Based Atmospheric Stability Assessment Through a Hybrid CNN–XGBoost Framework During Iraqi Dust Storms
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Shahad M. Al-Kaissi, Monim H. Al-Jiboori and Osama T. Al-Taai
Wind 2026, 6(3), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030043 - 19 Aug 2026
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Boundary-layer atmospheric stability, wind-shear variability, and thermodynamic forcing are all important factors for the initiation, intensification, and transport of dust storms. But there is limited knowledge of the quantitative evaluation of bulk-layer atmospheric stability and the relation between wind-driven dust dynamics and atmospheric
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Boundary-layer atmospheric stability, wind-shear variability, and thermodynamic forcing are all important factors for the initiation, intensification, and transport of dust storms. But there is limited knowledge of the quantitative evaluation of bulk-layer atmospheric stability and the relation between wind-driven dust dynamics and atmospheric stability in arid and semi-arid regions. In this research, a hybrid AI–meteorology framework, HyMet-Fusion, is presented that combines visual information derived from satellite observations with physics-based indicators of atmospheric stability to evaluate atmospheric stability during dust storm events over Iraq. The proposed framework is based on the use of deep features extracted from the satellite imagery through a frozen EfficientNetB0 backbone, combined with indicators derived from the ERA5 pressure level data for the atmosphere, such as the Bulk Richardson Number (Bulk Ri), the Wind Shear (WS) and the Dry Air Index (DAI). The two branches were merged using a late fusion (0.75 physics/0.25 image) and each hour was classified into three atmospheric stability conditions: Relatively Stable, Moderately Unstable and Unstable. The overall hourly accuracy using a Leave-One-Event-Out (LOEO) cross-validation scheme, where each dust event was used for independent testing and no dust event was used for training, was 72.4%, with 81.2% accuracy for the dominant stability state and 92.2% correct assessment of the unstable condition time for the severe dust events. Inaccuracies were mainly (66%) in the conservative direction (more instability). Unstable atmospheric conditions were also found to be associated with all severe dust storms and coincided with higher wind shear, lower Bulk Ri values and higher thermodynamic variability. Moderate and light dust events were primarily associated with transitional and relatively stable atmospheric conditions, and differed between the various regions, primarily in Kirkuk and Nasiriyah. Correlation analysis showed that wind shear had the highest correlation with atmospheric instability (r = 0.92), followed by DAI (r = 0.90) and Bulk Ri (r = −0.75). In addition, the wind shear also increased significantly from light to severe dust events at all stations investigated, showing that wind shear is a critical factor for turbulent mixing, vertical momentum exchange and dust uplift processes. The results suggest wind shear is the leading dynamics mechanism for bulk-layer instability in Iraqi dust storms. The findings highlight the complementary benefit of using physics-based atmospheric indicators embedded with deep learning satellite image analysis. The HyMet-Fusion system can be used as a transferable method for observing wind-driven instability of the atmosphere and related dust hazards, which could be employed in boundary-layer meteorology, air-quality forecasting, aviation safety and environmental risk assessment in arid and semi-arid areas.
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Open AccessArticle
Modal-Based Free and Forced Vibration Analysis and Optimization of a Pre-Twisted Composite Wind Turbine Blade
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Jwan Khaleel Mohammed and Safeen Yaseen Ezdeen
Wind 2026, 6(3), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030042 - 14 Aug 2026
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The increasing global demand for clean energy has established wind power as a leading solution for sustainable electricity generation. The efficiency and reliability of wind turbines are strongly influenced by blade design, which governs both aerodynamic performance and structural integrity. In this study,
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The increasing global demand for clean energy has established wind power as a leading solution for sustainable electricity generation. The efficiency and reliability of wind turbines are strongly influenced by blade design, which governs both aerodynamic performance and structural integrity. In this study, a wind turbine blade based on the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) 4412 airfoil was developed for composite manufacturing, with variations in laminate layers (4, 8, 12, and 16) to optimize stiffness, strength, and weight. To reduce prototyping costs and development time, the structural response under operational loads was simulated using ANSYS Workbench 2025 R1. The Taguchi method was employed to minimize the number of experimental trials, considering three factors at four levels each. A multi-objective optimization was then performed to minimize tip deformation and maximum stress while ensuring a safe failure index. The results indicated that force distance was the most influential factor, followed by laminate configuration, while force magnitude had a comparatively smaller effect within the tested range. The configuration with a force of 15 N, a force distance of 60 cm, and 12 laminate layers achieved a composite desirability of 0.9413, leading to a significant reduction in deformation and stress while maintaining structural safety. These findings validate the effectiveness of the proposed design and optimization framework and provide practical guidelines for the development of high-performance composite wind turbine blades.
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Open AccessArticle
Parametric Analysis of Offshore Wind Farm Layout Geometry Using a Jensen Wake Model for 15 MW Turbine Systems
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Kenneth Bisgaard Christensen and Per Jørgensen
Wind 2026, 6(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030041 - 10 Aug 2026
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This study investigates how offshore wind farm layout geometry influences farm-level performance using a computationally efficient Jensen–Park wake model combined with directionally resolved Weibull wind-speed statistics. A fixed-capacity 1.8 GW case study, consisting of 120 V236-15.0 MW turbines, is used to examine the
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This study investigates how offshore wind farm layout geometry influences farm-level performance using a computationally efficient Jensen–Park wake model combined with directionally resolved Weibull wind-speed statistics. A fixed-capacity 1.8 GW case study, consisting of 120 V236-15.0 MW turbines, is used to examine the effects of grid aspect ratio, inter-turbine spacing, cumulative row skew, and global layout rotation on wake losses, annual energy production (AEP), and capacity factor under representative offshore screening assumptions. Structured layouts with identical turbine count and installed capacity are compared with a regular baseline grid to isolate geometric effects within a consistent modelling framework. For the nominal offshore Jensen wake-expansion coefficient, k = 0.04, the highest sampled AEP is obtained for the 5 × 24 configuration, which produces 8930.69 GWh yr−1 and a capacity factor of 56.64%. The regular baseline produces 7397.50 GWh yr−1 and a capacity factor of 46.91%, corresponding to a 20.73% AEP increase for the highest sampled layout. However, the performance differences among Layouts D–F are small, indicating a high-performing layout plateau rather than a clearly separated optimum. The contribution of this paper is therefore not a new wake model, optimisation algorithm, or general offshore design rule. Instead, this study provides an auditable screening workflow that documents modelling assumptions, parameter bounds, coordinate transformations, convergence checks, sensitivity analyses, and spatial-efficiency indicators for one turbine model, one turbine count, one synthetic wind rose, and a limited set of structured row–column layouts.
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Open AccessArticle
Modelling Wind Speed Extremes Using Extreme Value Theory: A Case Study for Namibia
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Dibaba Bayisa Gemechu and Wilka I. Igulu
Wind 2026, 6(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030040 - 10 Aug 2026
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Extreme wind speed events pose a significant threat to structural safety and are an important consideration in the design of the growing renewable energy sectors. This study models extreme wind speeds in Namibia by applying Extreme Value Theory (EVT) to quality-controlled daily maximum
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Extreme wind speed events pose a significant threat to structural safety and are an important consideration in the design of the growing renewable energy sectors. This study models extreme wind speeds in Namibia by applying Extreme Value Theory (EVT) to quality-controlled daily maximum wind speed records from six meteorological stations, spanning 13–21 years per station and covering the 2003–2024 period. A two-rule quality-control procedure, combining a regional plausibility limit with an isolated-spike test supported by cross-station coherence checks, identified and removed 70 spurious automatic weather station records (0.24% of observations) prior to analysis. The Generalized Pareto Distribution (GDP) was fitted to declustered threshold exceedances using the Peaks-Over-Threshold method, with 95% confidence intervals for return levels obtained by profile likelihood. Model comparison based on AIC, BIC, and the negative log-likelihood indicated that the Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD) provided a better description of the extreme wind speed tails. The results reveal a clear coastal-inland contrast; the coastal station Lüderitz experiences the strongest and most frequent extreme wind events, with a 100-year return level of 49.4 m/s (GPD; 95% profile-likelihood interval 44.9–70.3 m/s) and evidence of a bounded upper tail, while inland stations exhibit more moderate extremes with 100-year return levels 36–45 m/s. A seasonal analysis reveals stronger winter extremes at coastal Walvis Bay, while inland stations experience summer convective peaks. The study provides the first systematic station-level EVT analysis of observed wind extremes for Namibia, offering essential quantitative input for wind-sensitive infrastructure design, renewable energy project siting, and national climate adaptation planning.
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Open AccessArticle
Fault Ride-Through Enhancement of a 9 MW DFIG Wind Farm Using a Dual-Layer STATCOM and Multi-Tier Protection Scheme: Detailed and Reduced-Order Modelling
by
Muhammed Anaz Khan, Abdullatif Hakami, Abdulrahman Salem Ali Alghamdi, Abdullah Mohammad Saeed Altarqi and Suhail Abduallah Ihsan Emam
Wind 2026, 6(3), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030039 - 5 Aug 2026
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The doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) dominates the wind energy market, yet its direct stator-to-grid connection makes it vulnerable to grid faults, creating a tension between hardware self-protection and grid-code fault ride-through (FRT) compliance. This paper presents the modelling and FRT analysis of
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The doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) dominates the wind energy market, yet its direct stator-to-grid connection makes it vulnerable to grid faults, creating a tension between hardware self-protection and grid-code fault ride-through (FRT) compliance. This paper presents the modelling and FRT analysis of a 9 MW DFIG wind farm combining a 20 MVA Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) with a ten-tier algorithmic protection scheme. A detailed phasor-domain MATLAB/Simulink R2024b model is complemented by physics-based reduced-order models integrated in Python, separating calibration targets, calibration-dependent derived quantities and quantities independent of the DC-link calibration. The aerodynamic model reproduces the power coefficient maximum of 0.48 at a tip–speed ratio of 8.1. The energy-balance model uses two parameters identified per scenario from the detailed DC-link trajectory; its peak-voltage agreement within 0.4% is therefore a calibrated consistency check, while the derived arming times, slopes, chopper sizing and latency budget remain conditional on that calibration. A first-order Thevenin analysis shows that the STATCOM supports a weak 25 kV point of common coupling of order 53 MVA short-circuit level, not the 2500 MVA source. The approximate 0.50-to-0.78 p.u. recovery requires about 29.7 Mvar and 1.90 p.u. of STATCOM rated current for 150 ms, conditional on an assumed short-time envelope and adequate converter-voltage headroom; it is not attributable to continuous rated operation. FRT support for the selected recoverable dip is separated from converter survival during a zero-impedance fault, for which a 1700 V chopper pickup with a 1 ms gate delay, not the 10 ms isolation command, is the clamping mechanism. The assessment is explicitly conditional and requires electromagnetic-transient and hardware-in-the-loop confirmation.
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Open AccessArticle
SCADA-Based Comparative Assessment of Power Curve Modeling Methods for a Low-Power Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine
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Gregorio Martínez Reyes and Reynaldo Iracheta Cortez
Wind 2026, 6(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030038 - 1 Aug 2026
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Accurate modeling of wind turbine power curves is essential for performance assessment, energy forecasting, condition monitoring, and operational optimization in wind energy systems. This study presents a SCADA-based comparative assessment of established power curve modeling approaches through a single-site case study conducted on
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Accurate modeling of wind turbine power curves is essential for performance assessment, energy forecasting, condition monitoring, and operational optimization in wind energy systems. This study presents a SCADA-based comparative assessment of established power curve modeling approaches through a single-site case study conducted on a low-power Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) operating under real environmental conditions at the University of the Isthmus, located in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. The evaluated methods included the maximum power curve, an aerodynamic model based on Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT), parametric approaches using polynomial and logistic regressions, and non-parametric data-driven methods based on Random Forest (RF), Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE). One year of SCADA data, including wind speed and generated power measurements, was analyzed, while model performance was assessed using RMSE, MAE, and R2 metrics. The results showed that the machine learning approaches achieved the lowest prediction errors among the evaluated models, with RF providing the best overall performance (RMSE = 7.4%, MAE = 4.8%, R2 = 0.9814), followed by GPR and KDE under the investigated operating conditions. Additionally, Weibull analysis yielded parameters of k = 1.887 and c = 7.875 m/s, while the largest prediction errors were observed within the partial-load operating region (approximately 4–10 m/s) and as the turbine approached the rated operating condition (approximately 10–12 m/s). These findings indicate that, for the investigated low-power VAWT operating at the experimental site, non-parametric approaches provided the most accurate representation of the power curve among the evaluated models, highlighting the potential of SCADA-based data-driven techniques for comparative model assessment under similar operating conditions.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Wind Turbine Frontiers: Multidisciplinary Solutions for Energy System Integration and Renewable Growth)
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Open AccessArticle
Statistical Characteristics of Low-Level Vertical Directional Shear and Its Potential Implications for Aircraft Landing at Baghdad International Airport
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Thoalfaqar Al-Rbayee, Monim H. Al-Jiboori and Osama T. Al-Taai
Wind 2026, 6(3), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030037 - 31 Jul 2026
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Understanding wind direction (WD) variability and vertical directional shear is critical for aviation safety, particularly during landing when aircraft are highly sensitive to abrupt wind changes. This study analyzes the temporal behavior of WD and low-level directional shear over Baghdad International Airport during
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Understanding wind direction (WD) variability and vertical directional shear is critical for aviation safety, particularly during landing when aircraft are highly sensitive to abrupt wind changes. This study analyzes the temporal behavior of WD and low-level directional shear over Baghdad International Airport during representative months of 2024 (January, April, July, and October) using hourly ERA5 u and v wind components at 10 and 540 m. Circular statistical measures quantify WD variability, while directional shear roses and absolute directional shear change rates characterize vertical wind alignment and shear intensity relevant to aviation operations. The results reveal pronounced seasonal contrasts. Summer (July) shows the most stable wind regime with strong directional persistence and weak shear (<~0.1–0.15 °/m), winter (January) is generally stable but punctuated by synoptic shear peaks up to ~0.85 °/m, spring (April) exhibits moderate and more variable shear (~0.1–0.45 °/m), and autumn (October) is the most dynamically unstable, with reduced persistence and frequent shear maxima approaching ~0.9–0.95 °/m. Circular standard deviation (σdir), is highest in winter–spring (mea n≈ 38° in January and ≈34° in April), weakest in summer (≈16–17° in July), and increases again in autumn (≈28–33° in October), reflecting seasonal changes in atmospheric forcing. σdir exhibits a clear seasonal cycle, with highest values during winter and spring and the most stable conditions in summer. These results show that integrating ERA5-based circular wind statistics with directional shear diagnostics effectively identifies aviation-critical wind regimes, while future multi-year and aircraft-based analyses can further refine operational low-level wind shear risk thresholds.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Aeroacoustics Research in Wind Engineering)
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Open AccessArticle
Full-Scale Study of Critical Wind-Direction Screening and Threshold-Based Operational Assessment for Double-Decker Buses on the Queensferry Crossing Bridge
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Licheng Zhu, Daniel McCrum and Jennifer Keenahan
Wind 2026, 6(3), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030036 - 14 Jul 2026
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High-sided vehicle safety on exposed long-span bridges depends on local wind direction as well as wind speed. Using a previously validated full-scale computational fluid dynamics model of the Queensferry Crossing Bridge, this study presents a two-stage site-specific assessment for double-decker buses. First, 50-year
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High-sided vehicle safety on exposed long-span bridges depends on local wind direction as well as wind speed. Using a previously validated full-scale computational fluid dynamics model of the Queensferry Crossing Bridge, this study presents a two-stage site-specific assessment for double-decker buses. First, 50-year return period hourly means and one-second gust wind conditions from twelve directions are used to screen for the most adverse aerodynamic response. Within the present modelling framework, directions of 210°, 240°, 270° and 300° produce the largest changes in side force, lift force and rolling moment and are selected for further analysis. Second, a threshold-based operational assessment is carried out for these directions using the existing 60 mph gust closure threshold for double-decker buses and a moving-bus URANS (Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes) model. Safety factors for sideslip and overturning are evaluated to assess whether direction-dependent local wind effects create different levels of vulnerability under the same threshold. Additional simulations varying gust speed and bus speed examine the trade-off between local wind effects and vehicle speed in the most adverse direction. The framework links directional screening with operational safety assessment and shows that the same 60 mph gust threshold can correspond to materially different risk levels and mechanisms depending on wind direction.
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Open AccessArticle
Wind Characteristics and Energy Evaluation at Nasiriya International Airport, Iraq
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Firas A. Hadi, Sarmad Jasim Hasan, Qutaiba Mazin Abdulmajeed, Rawnak A. Abdulwahab and Khattab Al-Khafaji
Wind 2026, 6(3), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030035 - 6 Jul 2026
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In order to reduce aviation’s negative environmental effects and support international efforts to battle climate change, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) seeks to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. About 2–3% of the world’s CO2 emissions come from aviation, and at high
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In order to reduce aviation’s negative environmental effects and support international efforts to battle climate change, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) seeks to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. About 2–3% of the world’s CO2 emissions come from aviation, and at high altitudes, the fraction of other GHGs that significantly alter the atmosphere is considerably greater. In this study, hourly wind speed data at 100 m height from ECMWF’s fifth-generation reanalysis (ERA-5) were used over a period of 40 years (1985–2025). Hourly assessments of wind speeds at 40 m and 80 m heights are conducted in ERA-5, with biases at specific ground locations rectified via the Global Wind Atlas (GWA). This research estimates and analyzes many factors, including Weibull statistical parameters, daily and monthly wind speed variations, cumulative distribution function (CDF), and atmospheric turbulence intensity. The energy generation from several wind turbine types at different elevations was assessed. The findings indicate that the examined location revealed fair potential for the construction of large-capacity wind energy units at heights equal to or above 80 m. Turbines that are less than 50 m tall are spread out at least 10 km around the airport runway. While turbines that are less than 150 m tall are spread out at least 15 km away from the airport runway.
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Open AccessArticle
A Comprehensive Analysis of Wind Availability and Power Rating System for Prioritization of Potential Sites Across the Indian States
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Shafiqur Rehman, Mangottiri Vasudevan, Narayanan N. Salghuna and Narayanan Natarajan
Wind 2026, 6(3), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030034 - 3 Jul 2026
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The success of wind energy projects depends on reliable site selection and cost-effective operation. Existing studies largely focus on either resource potential or standalone economic feasibility, while a unified wind power rating framework for site prioritization across India remains lacking. This study proposes
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The success of wind energy projects depends on reliable site selection and cost-effective operation. Existing studies largely focus on either resource potential or standalone economic feasibility, while a unified wind power rating framework for site prioritization across India remains lacking. This study proposes a multi-criteria wind power assessment framework and investigates the spatial and scale-dependent variability of wind speed (WS) and wind power density (WPD) over six major regions of India. Hourly WS data were at diurnal, monthly and annual scales to capture atmospheric and seasonal influences. The results reveal significant temporal variabilities in WS and WPD, especially over the southern and western coastal and high-altitude regions during the monsoon months (June–August). The spatial analysis revealed a non-linearly increasing trend for WS with altitude, contrary to the simplifying assumptions. Regions such as the Southern Peninsular States (SPSs) and western middle states (WMSs) show high suitability for large-scale deployment, whereas the Northeastern States (NESs) and parts of northern border states (NBS) exhibit lower potential. The site suitability is further evaluated using wind variability indices such as the wind variability index (WVI) and Windy Site Identifier (WSI), along with the plant capacity factor (PCF), cost of energy (COE), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enabling a comprehensive and decision-oriented framework for wind energy planning.
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Open AccessArticle
Validation of Dual Scanning LiDAR for Wind Field Reconstruction Under Coastal Atmospheric Conditions
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Giannis Kissas, George Droukas and Ioannis Panourgias
Wind 2026, 6(3), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030033 - 1 Jul 2026
Abstract
This study presents the results of a one-month validation campaign focused on wind field reconstruction using a dual-scanning LiDAR configuration. The measurement campaign was conducted inland, approximately 6 km from the Thracian Sea coast in northeastern Greece, and involved the deployment of two
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This study presents the results of a one-month validation campaign focused on wind field reconstruction using a dual-scanning LiDAR configuration. The measurement campaign was conducted inland, approximately 6 km from the Thracian Sea coast in northeastern Greece, and involved the deployment of two scanning LiDAR units alongside a reference meteorological mast. Wind conditions were measured at 82 m above ground level, enabling spatially resolved reconstruction of horizontal wind speed and direction. To investigate the sensitivity of wind field reconstruction to probe volume effects, two range gate length configurations—100 m and 200 m—were systematically alternated during the campaign. This alternating strategy enabled a direct comparison under identical atmospheric conditions. The reconstructed wind speed and direction data exhibited excellent agreement with the reference measurements, achieving a coefficient of determination greater than 0.99, and showed negligible systematic bias. Analysis of turbulence characteristics revealed that the dual-scanning LiDAR system underestimated turbulence intensity compared to the reference meteorological mast. These findings underscore the effectiveness of this technology as a cost-efficient and accurate method for coastal wind characterization. Owing to its ability to reliably reconstruct wind fields over long distances, the system holds strong potential for near-shore and offshore applications.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wind Energy Resource Development and the Sustainable Environment)
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Open AccessArticle
Wind–Solar Resource Assessment and Optimal Siting in Desert–Gobi–Wilderness Regions: A Case Study of the Badain Jaran and Kumtag Deserts
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Bo Wang, Wenqian Xu, Shijie Hu, Mengke Wang, Haoyuan Ma, Xu Zhang and Hongqing Wang
Wind 2026, 6(3), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030032 - 1 Jul 2026
Abstract
With the advancement of China’s “dual carbon” targets, Desert–Gobi–Wilderness (DGW) regions have become strategic areas for large-scale renewable energy deployment. However, the intermittency and variability of wind and solar resources pose challenges to power system stability, necessitating systematic evaluation of their characteristics and
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With the advancement of China’s “dual carbon” targets, Desert–Gobi–Wilderness (DGW) regions have become strategic areas for large-scale renewable energy deployment. However, the intermittency and variability of wind and solar resources pose challenges to power system stability, necessitating systematic evaluation of their characteristics and complementarity. This study uses ERA5 reanalysis data (2013–2023) to assess wind and solar resources in the Badain Jaran and Kumtag Deserts. A multi-dimensional framework is developed, incorporating availability, intermittency, variability, and complementarity, and a GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making method is applied for site selection. Results show that the Badain Jaran Desert is characterised by strong wind resources (average wind power density: 235.16 W/m2) and is suitable for wind-dominated development, whereas the Kumtag Desert exhibits superior solar resources (221.08 W/m2), favouring photovoltaic deployment. Significant wind–solar complementarity is identified, particularly in the central-western Badain Jaran and northeastern Kumtag regions. Three high-suitability sites were identified, including two in the Badain Jaran Desert and one in the Kumtag Desert, all characterised by favourable topographic conditions and high engineering feasibility. This study provides a scientific basis and a methodological framework for the planning of wind–solar hybrid systems and coordinated ecological development in DGW regions.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wind Energy Resource Development and the Sustainable Environment)
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Open AccessArticle
Offshore Wind Development in Brazil: International Drivers, National Challenges, and the Impact of Regulatory Distortions
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Gustavo Pires da Ponte, Nivalde J. de Castro and Erik Rego
Wind 2026, 6(3), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6030031 - 1 Jul 2026
Abstract
Offshore wind is expanding globally, driven by energy security and decarbonization goals. Brazil’s world-class potential for this resource is challenged by its unique context: an already clean electricity matrix and abundant, low-cost onshore alternatives, which reduce the immediate urgency for deployment. This paper
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Offshore wind is expanding globally, driven by energy security and decarbonization goals. Brazil’s world-class potential for this resource is challenged by its unique context: an already clean electricity matrix and abundant, low-cost onshore alternatives, which reduce the immediate urgency for deployment. This paper starts with a global offshore wind market analysis, understanding why the main countries pursue this technology, in contrast with Brazil’s already high share of renewable generation. The following examination focuses on Brazil’s recently approved new offshore wind framework and the governance-related issues, revealing that the legislative process was distorted by unrelated riders mandating costly, non-competitive energy procurement. These riders threatened to absorb future market growth, undermining competition and jeopardizing the emergence of the entire offshore wind industry. While presidential vetoes of these riders were essential to preserve this opportunity, remaining market distortions still favor mature technologies. The study concludes that Brazil’s primary barrier to offshore wind is not technical or resource-based but institutional: the need for stable, transparent governance to foster a truly competitive and predictable policy environment.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wind Energy Resource Development and the Sustainable Environment)
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Open AccessArticle
Development in Surrogate-Based Polynomial Chaos with Adaptive Sobol Sensitivity Analysis for Uncertainty Quantification and Offshore 15 MW Wind Turbine Performance Prediction: Comparative, Icing, and Wind Farm Optimization Studies
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Mohamed Haris Baghli, Tewfik Baghdadli and Zakarya Ziani
Wind 2026, 6(2), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6020030 - 10 Jun 2026
Cited by 1
Abstract
Accurate performance prediction for large offshore wind turbines requires a principled treatment of uncertainty in both the wind resource and the rotor design parameters. In the present work, we develop a surrogate-based, multi-level uncertainty quantification (UQ) framework coupling a physics-based Blade Element Momentum
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Accurate performance prediction for large offshore wind turbines requires a principled treatment of uncertainty in both the wind resource and the rotor design parameters. In the present work, we develop a surrogate-based, multi-level uncertainty quantification (UQ) framework coupling a physics-based Blade Element Momentum (BEM) solver with a spectral Polynomial Chaos Expansion (PCE) surrogate that replaces the expensive Monte Carlo loop and apply it to the IEA 15 MW offshore reference wind turbine. The framework is completed by Sobol variance-based global sensitivity analysis. The contribution is methodological rather than algorithmic: although each individual ingredient (PCE, Sobol, BEM, and Jensen) is well established, their joint deployment in a single, internally consistent, end-to-end probabilistic workflow that simultaneously delivers (i) aerodynamic–structural UQ with analytical Sobol ranking, (ii) a like-for-like cross-comparison of three reference turbines, (iii) a quantitative leading-edge icing degradation study, and (iv) a farm-level wake-steering optimization on the same IEA 15 MW reference rotor yields a unified probabilistic envelope from which manufacturing tolerances, cold-climate investment thresholds, and farm-layout/control trade-offs can be read off consistently. Five input parameters are treated as random variables: hub-height wind speed (Weibull, k = 2.2, c = 9.8 m/s), air density, blade chord length, twist angle, and rotor speed. A degree-4 sparse PCE is built by non-intrusive spectral projection using N = 5000 Sobol quasi-random realizations, which allows the Sobol indices to be recovered analytically from the expansion coefficients at essentially no extra cost. Three parallel engineering studies complement the core UQ analysis: (A) a head-to-head comparison of the NREL 5 MW, DTU 10 MW, and IEA 15 MW reference turbines; (B) a quantitative assessment of leading-edge ice accretion at four severity levels; and (C) a Jensen-based wake optimization for a 25-turbine offshore array with static wake steering. The main results are as follows: the turbine reaches Cp,max = 0.480 at λopt = 8.51, and an annual energy production (AEP) of 71,261 MWh/year (PCE: 70,840 ± 2,140 MWh/year, 95% CI). Wind speed emerges as the dominant driver of Cp variance (S1 = 0.412), followed by blade twist (0.198) and chord (0.143). Severe icing (30 kg/m) reduces Cp by 18.2% and increases the blade-root Damage Equivalent Load (DEL) by 18.5%. For the array, the optimal spacing (sx = 8D, sy = 6D) gives a farm efficiency of 89.6% and 1296 GWh/year, and a 15° wake-steering offset adds a further +3.2% to farm AEP. Compared with plain Monte Carlo, the sparse PCE delivers the same statistics with about 36% fewer model evaluations and a relative error below 0.8%.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydraulic, Wind, and Photovoltaic Power Generation Systems)
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Open AccessArticle
Optimization of Hybrid Energy Storage for Split-Shaft Wind Systems
by
Rasoul Akbari and Afshin Izadian
Wind 2026, 6(2), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6020029 - 9 Jun 2026
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This paper introduces a new combination of hybrid energy storage in a split-shaft wind energy conversion system based on a hydraulic transmission system. In the hybrid energy storage, a flywheel, supercapacitor, and battery are integrated into the wind energy conversion system with minimal
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This paper introduces a new combination of hybrid energy storage in a split-shaft wind energy conversion system based on a hydraulic transmission system. In the hybrid energy storage, a flywheel, supercapacitor, and battery are integrated into the wind energy conversion system with minimal additional supporting hardware. The split-shaft configuration allows the direct connection of the flywheel to the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) shaft without a power electronic converter. The principal operation and minimization of this hybrid storage, as well as the energy management strategy, are explained. The goal is to smooth out output power fluctuations using the response surface method. A 1.5 MW hydraulic wind turbine is simulated in Matlab 23, and the hybrid storage is configured and optimized. The direct connection of the flywheel facilitates reaching a suitable level of smoothness at a reasonable cost. The proposed configuration is compared with conventional storage, and the results demonstrate that the integrated hybrid energy storage reduces the annualized storage cost by 71%.
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Open AccessArticle
Multi-Model Assessment and Experimental Validation of a Custom High-Camber Airfoil for Wind-Lens Technology Application
by
Ayalew Bekele Demie, Venkata Ramayya Ancha and Mulu Bayray Kahsay
Wind 2026, 6(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6020028 - 9 Jun 2026
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Diffusers in diffuser-augmented wind turbines (DAWTs) require high-camber airfoils operating at low Reynolds numbers (Re), and their laminar separation bubbles (LSB) significantly complicate aerodynamic predictions. No prior study has experimentally validated XFOIL, k-ω SST, and γ-Re_θ models against simultaneous lift, drag, and chord-wise
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Diffusers in diffuser-augmented wind turbines (DAWTs) require high-camber airfoils operating at low Reynolds numbers (Re), and their laminar separation bubbles (LSB) significantly complicate aerodynamic predictions. No prior study has experimentally validated XFOIL, k-ω SST, and γ-Re_θ models against simultaneous lift, drag, and chord-wise pressure coefficient (Cp) measurements for the customized high-camber airfoil at Re = 68,000 (68k), 118,000 (118k), and 159,000 (159k). Lift, drag, and Cp distributions were measured experimentally. The γ-Re_θ model demonstrated superior performance, achieving a lift maximum absolute percent error of 1.6–3.4%, near-zero bias, and a coefficient of determination >0.99. It accurately captured the LSB pressure plateau at mid-chord, with mean gross-averaged Cp percent errors of 8.1% and 2.1% for upper and lower surfaces, respectively. The k-ω SST model overpredicted lift by up to +9.8% at Re = 68k and underpredicted drag by up to 66%. XFOIL is unreliable specifically for separated transitional flows at Re < 118k, but improves at Re = 159k. The experimental dataset and validated transition-sensitive RANS approach provide a foundation for low-Re airfoil and DAWT diffuser design. Future work should extend measurements below Re = 50k and above 200k, including post-stall conditions, and system-level design of DAWT.
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Open AccessArticle
Exploring the Prospects for Wind Energy Development as Sustainable Energy Production in Tafila, Jordan
by
Mohammad Ahmad Al Zubi and Mohamad Najib Ibrahim
Wind 2026, 6(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6020027 - 8 Jun 2026
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Energy plays an essential role in economic advancement for any nation. However, escalating worldwide energy demands coupled with environmental and climate change issues resulting from the excessive consumption of conventional energy sources highlight the importance of identifying sustainable energy resource alternatives. Jordan, with
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Energy plays an essential role in economic advancement for any nation. However, escalating worldwide energy demands coupled with environmental and climate change issues resulting from the excessive consumption of conventional energy sources highlight the importance of identifying sustainable energy resource alternatives. Jordan, with its very limited fossil-fuel resources, is actively expanding its energy mix by investing in renewable sources, particularly wind energy. Therefore, the current work provides an evaluation of the wind power potential of Gharandal town within Tafila governorate, in southern Jordan, using hourly wind data recorded at 90 m elevation within a one-year monitoring period. The investigation reveals that the Weibull distribution more accurately models the wind speed in Tafila compared to the Rayleigh distribution based on parameters estimated through the maximum likelihood approach. The investigation at 90 m also shows that the annual wind power is 296 W/m2, indicating that Tafila has marginal suitability for wind potential (Class 2) under the Pacific Northwest Laboratory classification system and has fairly good and suitable conditions for installing a wind farm per the European Wind Energy Association classification system. Most of the time, the prevailing winds at Tafila originate from the west direction (i.e., 270°), accounting for 23% of all occurrences. Finaly, the Tafila region contains promising areas for wind energy generation, particularly with the implementation of modern wind turbine technologies.
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Open AccessArticle
Performance Assessment of a Double-Stator Wound-Field Flux-Switching Machine for Large-Scale Direct-Drive Wind Power Generator Applications
by
Ziphilele S. Mngomezulu, Oreoluwa I. Olubamiwa, Udochukwu B. Akuru and Olawale M. Popoola
Wind 2026, 6(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6020026 - 4 Jun 2026
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Synchronous machines used in wind turbines typically use rare earth permanent magnets (PMs) due to the possibility of high power densities and efficiencies. However, alternative non-PM topologies are gaining popularity due to the cost and supply volatility of PMs. Wound-field flux-switching machines (WFFSMs),
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Synchronous machines used in wind turbines typically use rare earth permanent magnets (PMs) due to the possibility of high power densities and efficiencies. However, alternative non-PM topologies are gaining popularity due to the cost and supply volatility of PMs. Wound-field flux-switching machines (WFFSMs), although boasting high torque densities and being PM-free, have lower power densities than PM machines. However, a double-stator wound-field flux-switching machine (DSWFFSM) exemplifies even greater power density. This study investigates the application of DSWFFSMs for direct-drive wind applications. Furthermore, the performance of an optimized 3 MW DSWFFSM design is compared with a single-stator WFFSM design. Both designs are based on the volume of a single-stator PM flux-switching machine from the literature. Although the torque per weight for the DSWFFSM and the single-stator WFFSM are similar, the torque per volume for the DSWFFSM is shown to be significantly exceptional. The torque ripple in the DSWFFSM is also smaller, but the efficiency is slightly lower than the single-stator WFFSM. The DSWFFSM design, which is shown to be comparable to PM-based topologies in terms of power density, highlights a low-cost, sustainable, clean energy generator topology.
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Open AccessArticle
Contribution Analysis of WRF Physics in the Wind Dynamics of Super Typhoon Mangkhut (2018)
by
Jiayao Wang and Sunwei Li
Wind 2026, 6(2), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind6020025 - 2 Jun 2026
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Accurate simulation of landfalling typhoons is essential for urban resilience in the densely populated Pearl River Delta. Using Super Typhoon Mangkhut (2018) as a case study, this paper evaluates the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model through a contribution analysis designed to disentangle
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Accurate simulation of landfalling typhoons is essential for urban resilience in the densely populated Pearl River Delta. Using Super Typhoon Mangkhut (2018) as a case study, this paper evaluates the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model through a contribution analysis designed to disentangle the roles of surface layer, planetary boundary layer (PBL), urban canopy model (UCM), and eddy-coefficient/diffusion closure parameterizations in wind-hazard prediction. Model results are validated against observations at the Hong Kong Observatory headquarters (HKO) and King’s Park (KP) stations, demonstrating that the hierarchy of physical controls is strongly metric-dependent. Substantial and structured spread is found among the tested configurations. Controlled comparisons show that PBL selection is the primary driver of variability in peak timing and high-wind persistence, whereas surface-layer formulation and diffusion closure exert secondary but systematic influences by shifting distributional centers and reshaping variability and upper tails. Urban canopy effects are comparatively weaker in aggregate but become more apparent during the impact and recovery phases. Overall, the results confirm that no single parameterization is consistently optimal across all metrics and motivate a multi-objective physics-selection strategy, in which multi-physics ensembles are used to better represent uncertainty in wind-event duration and associated loading risks in complex urban environments.
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