Wind Turbine Wake and Helicopter Operations - Final Report

Abstract

With the increasing amount of wind energy produced by wind turbines both on land and offshore, together with the close interaction of helicopter flight in the direct vicinity of a wind turbine (park), the need to investigate the interrelation between the wind turbine wake and the effect on helicopter handling and therefor safety and the influence on operations, was recognised by both the Civil Aviation Authorities, Airport organisations and helicopter operators. The Garteur Helicopter Group of Responsables initiated the formation of the HC-AG23 Action Group ‘Helicopter operations and wind turbine wakes’, to set up a team of researchers from European industry and research institutes to cooperate on acquiring relevant data, to identify wind turbine wake parameters, investigate the helicopter dynamics while flying into the wake by off-line and piloted simulation studies, identify potential safety issues and finally, report and disseminate the findings to the proper authorities. In addition to the specific technical reports that were produced during the project time span, this final deliverable reports on the managerial matters and the organisational actions that were conducted by the partners. An overview of the reporting activities and an overview of produced paper and dissemination of the results is given. Finally, to complete the activities of the group, a wrap up of conclusions is presented.