PhD thesis – Aerodynamics of wind farms: experimental and reduced-order modelling approaches

Supervisors: Dr. Cédric Raibaudo (advisor, grant recipient), Pr. Nicolas Mazellier (thesis director)

Topic: Fully funded by the French ANR Young Researcher project called SONATE, the aim of the thesis is to understand the aerodynamics, performance and losses of a wind farm at different scales and under inlet flows that correspond to realistic conditions of a real wind farm. The PhD student will carry out large-scale experiments in the atmospheric section of the PRISME wind tunnel, using various measurement tools (pressure, hot-wire, PIV). From these measurements, the project will focus on building representative physics-based reduced-order models, capable of predicting the performance of the wind farms with different inputs depending on the flow conditions (yaw, turbulence, angular momentum added by the blades, etc.).

Expected skills: we are looking for a highly motivated PhD student (F/M), holding a Master degree in physics or mechanical engineering with strong background in fluid mechanics, experimental techniques and turbulence.

Period: starting scheduled for Fall 2025 (October ideally), for 3 years.

Application: Send your CV, motivation letter, transcript of marks (even partial) of Master, and the contact details of two scientific referees before March, 7th, 2025 to cedric.raibaudo@univ-orleans.fr

Young Researchers project (ANR JCJC) accepted !

The SONATE (AerodynamicS Of wiNd farms using A cross-scale inTEractions approach) project has been accepted for the Young Researchers program of the French national research agency (ANR). From 2025 to 2029, the aim of the SONATE project is to understand the aerodynamics, performance and losses of a wind farm at different scales and under inlet flows that correspond to realistic conditions of a real wind farm.