Cyclic yaw control for wind farm power optimization: Effects on wake flow in the atmospheric boundary layer

Cyclic yaw control shows significant potential to enhance wind farm power performance, with prior studies demonstrating power gains exceeding 30 % . However, the underlying flow mechanisms responsible for these improvements remain poorly understood. This study elucidates these mechanisms by performing stereoscopic particle image velocimetry measurements of turbine wakes under different control parameters (i.e., yaw amplitude and Strouhal number, S t ) and inflow conditions. Systematic investigation reveals how CYC significantly modifies wake characteristics in ways that depend on both the control parameters (especially S t ) and the background flow turbulence. In general, at relatively low S t , CYC enhances wake meandering, which increases flow entrainment, wake expansion and, ultimately, farm power production. The optimum S t is found to be smaller for longer wind farms as CYC generates larger-scale meandering motions that can persist further downstream. Conversely, at high S t , these effects diminish rapidly along the streamwise direction, making CYC ineffective. The impact of CYC decreases when the inflow turbulence intensity or the integral length scale increases, owing to the more dominant role of ambient turbulence on wake meandering. Although CYC only deflects the wake laterally, it also modifies the interactions with the upper flow, leading to an increase in the mean kinetic energy entrainment and a reduction of the vertical wake width. Overall, our findings provide critical insights into how control parameters and inflow conditions govern wake flow and power performance, delivering essential knowledge for designing effective wind farm control strategies. • Mechanism of 32 % wind farm power gain by front-turbine cyclic yaw control revealed. • Optimal Strouhal number (St) maximizes wake meandering and recovery. • Low St generates persistent large-scale wake motions that enhance entrainment. • High St produces small, fast-dissipating scales that suppress meandering and recovery. • Lateral wake steering promotes vertical entrainment and reduces vertical wake width.