Novel Experimental Power Curve Determination and Computational Methods for the Performance Analysis of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Edwards ◽  
Louis Angelo Danao ◽  
Robert J. Howell
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Methods ◽  
Computational Study ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Curve Determination ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
The University

Through novel experimental and computational methods, this paper details a study into the performance aerodynamics of a small-scale vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). A novel experimental method is first developed and validated before the results are compared to those of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study. The computational study is further validated by comparing the flow field to PIV data. The CFD simulations are then analyzed to explain the aerodynamics in further detail, including a discussion of the effect of the streamwise induction on the local angle of attack on the blade. The University of Sheffield’s three-bladed NACA0022 small-scale VAWT experimental rig is mounted within the University’s Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. Tests at tip speed ratios up to 5 were carried out, where the blade Reynolds number (based on rotational speed) ranged from 37,500 to 75,000. The same test conditions are simulated using unsteady computational fluid dynamics.

Detailed Analysis of the Wake Structure of a Straight-Blade H-Darrieus Wind Turbine by Means of Wind Tunnel Experiments and Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations

2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Bianchini ◽  
Francesco Balduzzi ◽  
Giovanni Ferrara ◽  
Lorenzo Ferrari ◽  
Giacomo Persico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Experimental Data ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Performance Estimation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Darrieus vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have been recently identified as the most promising solution for new types of applications, such as small-scale installations in complex terrains or offshore large floating platforms. To improve their efficiencies further and make them competitive with those of conventional horizontal axis wind turbines, a more in depth understanding of the physical phenomena that govern the aerodynamics past a rotating Darrieus turbine is needed. Within this context, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can play a fundamental role, since it represents the only model able to provide a detailed and comprehensive representation of the flow. Due to the complexity of similar simulations, however, the possibility of having reliable and detailed experimental data to be used as validation test cases is pivotal to tune the numerical tools. In this study, a two-dimensional (2D) unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (U-RANS) computational model was applied to analyze the wake characteristics on the midplane of a small-size H-shaped Darrieus VAWT. The turbine was tested in a large-scale, open-jet wind tunnel, including both performance and wake measurements. Thanks to the availability of such a unique set of experimental data, systematic comparisons between simulations and experiments were carried out for analyzing the structure of the wake and correlating the main macrostructures of the flow to the local aerodynamic features of the airfoils in cycloidal motion. In general, good agreement on the turbine performance estimation was constantly appreciated.

Two-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Study on the Performance of Twin Vertical Axis Wind Turbine With Deflector

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yichen Jiang ◽  
Peidong Zhao ◽  
Li Zou ◽  
Zhi Zong ◽  
Kun Wang
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Local Flow

Abstract The offshore wind industry is undergoing a rapid development due to its advantage over the onshore wind farm. The vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) is deemed to be potential in offshore wind energy utilization. A design of the offshore vertical axis wind turbine with a deflector is proposed and studied in this paper. Two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is employed to investigate the aerodynamic performance of wind turbine. An effective method of obtaining the blade’s angle of attack (AoA) is introduced in CFD simulation to help analyze the blade aerodynamic torque variation. The numerical simulations are validated against the measured torque and wake velocity, and the results show a good agreement with the experiment. It is found that the blade instantaneous torque is correlated with the local AoA. Among the three deflector configurations, the front deflector leads to favorable local flow for the blade, which is responsible for the improved performance.

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