Research Article
Wake Evolution and Deflection of a Floating and a Monopile Wind Turbine Under Varying Sea States and Yaw Angles
Jie Zhang,
Shuyu Shen,
Wenzhong Shen*
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
64-71
Received:
9 June 2026
Accepted:
14 July 2026
Published:
13 August 2026
Abstract: As offshore wind power development continues to expand into deeper waters, floating offshore wind turbines have attracted widespread attention due to their excellent adaptability to varying water depths and their significant potential for harnessing wind energy resources. Yaw control, as a key technical means for improving the overall energy utilization efficiency of wind farms, can enhance the power generation performance of the entire wind farm by actively altering the direction of the wake to improve the inflow conditions for downstream turbines. However, the mechanism of a platform motion affecting the yaw control remains unclear, particularly the coupled effects of platform motion and yaw action under varying sea conditions, which have yet to be systematically studied experimentally. This study utilizes a combined wind and wave experimental platform, using a downscaled NREL 5 MW wind turbine as a prototype, to investigate wake characteristics under different sea conditions and yaw angles. This study examines wake characteristics from two perspectives: the evolution of wake morphology and wake displacement analysis. By comparing the differences in wake loss and displacement between the floating and the monopile wind turbine, the effects of yaw angle and platform motion are analyzed, and further the modulating role of sea state variations on wake development patterns is explored. The results indicate that changes in sea conditions primarily influence the wake mixing process through the platform motion. Compared to monopile wind turbines, the wake cross-section of floating wind turbines is more likely to exhibit widening and flattening characteristics under stronger sea conditions. A yaw operation effectively enhances the lateral wake displacement and forms an asymmetric wake structure. Overall, the platform motion exerts a significant influence on the wake recovery process, altering the differences in wake evolution between the floating and the monopile wind turbine. The findings of this study provide an experimental evidence and reference for optimizing yaw control strategies and managing wakes in floating offshore wind farms.
Abstract: As offshore wind power development continues to expand into deeper waters, floating offshore wind turbines have attracted widespread attention due to their excellent adaptability to varying water depths and their significant potential for harnessing wind energy resources. Yaw control, as a key technical means for improving the overall energy utiliz...
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Review Article
Article Review on the Determinants and Effects of Deforestation in the Benishangul Gumuz Region of Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
72-80
Received:
8 October 2026
Accepted:
20 October 2026
Published:
31 October 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.jenr.20261503.12
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Abstract: This paper discusses the determinants and impacts of deforestation in the Benishangul Gumuz region of Ethiopia, which has seen a significant decline in forest coverage from 60% in 1975 to current alarming levels. Deforestation is defined as the conversion of forested areas into non-forest land uses, degradation that diminishes forest quality, and the clearing of native forests for various purposes. The causes of deforestation in the BG region include agricultural expansion, resettlement, shifting cultivation practices, mining activities, population growth, wood collection for construction and fuel, wildfires, ineffective governance, and large-scale investments. These factors contribute not only to environmental degradation but also badly affect socio-economic activities, leading to issues such as soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, deteriorations in honey production, drought prevalence, climate change, rainfall variability, decline of water tables, and a reduction in herbal medicine and wild edible forest foods. In response to the challenges posed by deforestation, the region has initiated several actions aimed at mitigation and restoration of the forests. These campaigns include effective reforestation programs under initiatives like Green Legacy, establishing command posts to preserve forests and biodiversity, implementing watershed management, improving soil fertility, and providing training for farmers on beekeeping and bamboo crafts, which help reduce reliance on shifting cultivation practices. Through these efforts, the region aims to combat the severe effects of deforestation and promote sustainable environmental stewardship.
Abstract: This paper discusses the determinants and impacts of deforestation in the Benishangul Gumuz region of Ethiopia, which has seen a significant decline in forest coverage from 60% in 1975 to current alarming levels. Deforestation is defined as the conversion of forested areas into non-forest land uses, degradation that diminishes forest quality, and t...
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