Wind beneath the clouds: An image of wind farms and clouds based on data from the researchers' simulations. Lighter blue-green streaks show areas of slower wind in the turbines' wake. (Courtesy: D Selvatici and R J A M Stevens/University of Twente)

Low-level sea clouds can make offshore wind farms more efficient, say researchers at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. This increase in efficiency is due to atmospheric mixing effects that shrink the wake of slower air behind nearby turbines, and the team say it could help wind farm designers make the most of ambient conditions.

Scientists have known for decades that multiple wind farms can be significantly less efficient than a single, isolated one. This is because air slows down as it moves through turbine blades, creating a wake that impairs the performance of wind farms downstream. This slow-air wake may extend for tens of kilometres, and in extreme cases it can even stretch beyond 100 km.…