windepends

Windepends is a term used in wind engineering and energy system modeling to describe the degree to which a system's performance depends on wind conditions. It captures sensitivity to wind speed, direction, persistence, and turbulence, reflecting how variations in wind influence outputs such as power, loads, or comfort.

Calculation and interpretation can vary, but windepends is often quantified via sensitivity analysis. Methods include partial derivatives, variance-based techniques, or scenario-based simulations. A windepends value is commonly presented as a dimensionless index from 0 to 1, where higher values indicate a stronger influence of wind on the system's behavior.

Applications span several domains. In wind energy, windepends informs turbine control strategies, siting, and reliability assessments. In urban planning and building design, it helps evaluate wind loads, ventilation effects, and pedestrian comfort. In maritime and coastal operations, wind-dependent dynamics govern vessel safety and port performance.

Limitations include dependence on the accuracy of wind inputs and the fidelity of the system model. Winds are stochastic and non-stationary, and nonlinear interactions can complicate interpretation. Because windepends is a context-specific measure, it is not a universal constant and should be understood within the scope of the particular study.

Example: a wind turbine with yaw misalignment may exhibit high windepends, since small changes in wind direction cause large fluctuations in power output. Conversely, effective yaw control reduces windepends by aligning rotor exposure with incoming wind.

Origin and usage: the term appears in academic and industry discussions to describe wind sensitivity, but it is not standardized across codes or regulatory frameworks.