Recalibration of IEC Turbulence Model Based on Field Observations

Understanding the variability of turbulence intensity (TI) under different wind regimes is essential for the design and safety of offshore wind turbines. The IEC Normal Turbulence Model (NTM), though widely adopted in industry, does not incorporate directional dependence or account for extreme wind events such as typhoons, which can lead to substantial underestimation of turbulence in complex offshore environments. In this study, field measurements from two coastal sites in China, Huilai and Pingtan, were analyzed. At Pingtan, two months of observations captured both normal and typhoon-affected winds, providing a unique dataset for assessing turbulence under typhoon-affected conditions. The results show that wind speeds during the typhoon-affected period were approximately 14% higher than those during normal periods. At Huilai, TI was evaluated under northeasterly and southeasterly sea breezes, revealing that the IEC NTM underestimated TI by 15–42%, with more pronounced discrepancies under northeasterly winds. Based on these findings, revised NTM parameters and correction factors are proposed for different wind conditions, enhancing the applicability of the model to offshore wind turbine design. This work underscores the importance of incorporating directional and event-specific modifications into IEC turbulence standards to ensure reliable structural assessment across diverse wind regimes.