Modeling Wave-induced Stress and Atmospheric Stability Effects in Offshore Wind Farm Wakes

Accurate characterization of thermal stability effects on marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) flows is essential for optimizing offshore wind energy systems. Atmospheric stability has a significant impact on wind speed, vertical shear, and veer, and plays a crucial role in wake recovery and wake length in offshore wind farms. Furthermore, wind–wave misalignment, arising from ocean swells or Coriolis forcing, can further modify shear and veer profiles within the MABL. This study examines the combined impact of surface waves and atmospheric stability on offshore wind farm wakes using wall-modeled large-eddy simulations (LES). The simulations employ a phase-aware sea surface boundary model (Dyn-WaSp) to resolve wave-induced drag effects on the atmospheric flow. The combined impacts of surface wave dynamics, coriolis forcing, and buoyancy on turbulence statistics and wake evolution are quantified to improve predictive understanding of offshore wind farm performance under realistic marine conditions.