GALE¶
Generalized Actuator and Loads Engines couples bodies that move in the wind to the ERF atmospheric code. Its first bodies are wind turbines.
Each time step, ERF supplies the wind at the turbine’s points. A body solver computes the loads: OpenFAST, or a disk with a prescribed thrust coefficient. GALE spreads the reaction force back onto the air, so the flow feels the turbine and forms its wake. Every ERF capability (anelastic dynamics, terrain-fitted meshes, mesh refinement, LES and RANS closures) is available to a GALE run.
Build with the bundled OpenFAST stub and run a first turbine case in a few minutes.
What the OpenFAST model needs, a minimal deck per rotor type, and recommended settings.
Sampling, force spreading, actuator disk and line, refinement levels, parallel layout.
What a run requires, what is not supported, and where results need care.
How GALE relates to ERF
GALE takes ERF as a git submodule (Submodules/ERF) and adds the structure model gale
in Turbines/. It builds on ERF’s
actuator core and
structure coupling,
and changes no ERF file. ERF’s own inputs and build options are documented in the
ERF documentation. These pages cover only what GALE
adds.