Evaluation of wind flow computational models using multi-resolution remote sensing datasets in a high complexity terrain domain

Wind flow estimation over complex terrain is a crucial procedure for several applications such as prediction of wind energy resources, pollution dispersal and bridge design. Several computational models have been developed to simulate wind flow. The accuracy of the estimations is highly affected by the complexity of the terrain domain and consequently by the resolution and accuracy of the topographical input data, that describe terrain characteristics. Three wind flow computational models (MS-3DJH/3R, WaSP and 3D-RANS) are evaluated using topographical data from a complex terrain domain in Southern Greece using three remote sensing datasets of different spatial resolution. The influence of the topographical data on the accuracy of wind flow estimation over complex terrain is assessed and some interesting conclusions are derived for the three models.