Wind Turbines Operating in Cold Climates: Reynolds Number and Turbulence Effects on Performances

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Dabin ◽  
Christophe Leclerc ◽  
Christian Masson ◽  
Cedric Alinot
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Disk Model ◽  
Blade Element Theory ◽  
Turbulence Effects

The present study is motivated by several observations of unexpected, recurring, high levels of power for stall-regulated wind turbines operating under very low temperatures. As power levels recorded largely exceed design levels of the rotor, operation in such conditions can cause dramatic damage to turbine. This study aims to understand the origin of such phenomenon by analyzing experimental data gathered from a stall-controlled wind turbine, having a nominal power of more than 500 kW, and comparing the experimental behaviour with numerical simulations. To provide a quantitative estimate of density and atmospheric turbulence effects on power output, a procedure based on the IEC 61400-12 international standard for elaboration of a wind turbine power curve is used. The numerical simulations is based on the solution of the time-averaged, steady-state, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with an appropriate turbulence closure model. The actuator disk model, together with blade element theory, are used to model the turbines. The stall-regulated turbine analyzed has shown to produce measured power increases significantly higher than increases of density. Regarding the influence of turbulence intensity, it has been observed that for constant hub height incoming wind velocity and density, power output increases with turbulence intensity at low winds, the opposite being true at higher winds. The numerical simulations show a good agrement with the measurements.

Wake Comparison of Open and Ducted Wind Turbines Using Actuator Disc Simulations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nojan Bagheri-Sadeghi ◽  
Brian T. Helenbrook ◽  
Kenneth D. Visser
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Navier Stokes Equations ◽  
Actuator Disc ◽  
Power And Energy

Abstract Shrouding a wind turbine inside a duct can significantly augment its power and energy output by increasing the mass flow rate through the rotor and decreasing the cut-in speed. Whether this is an advantage in a turbine array depends on the wake recovery behavior and how this compares to open wind turbines. Axisymmetric CFD simulations using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations with a k–ω SST turbulence closure were used to compare the wake behavior of open and ducted wind turbines. For both cases, the rotor blades were modeled using an actuator disc. Simulations of open wind turbines revealed significant sensitivity of the wake behavior to the mean turbulence intensity at the rotor. Better agreement with experimental data for the far wake was obtained when the turbulence intensity at the rotor was comparable to values measured experimentally. It was observed that compared to an open wind turbine with similar power output, a DWT has a significantly slower wake recovery. This was attributed to the extra momentum deficit of the wake due to the drag force on the duct.

CFD Calculation of Wind Turbines Power Variations in Urban Areas

2012 ◽  
Vol 622-623 ◽  
pp. 1084-1088
Author(s):  
Jafar Bazrafshan ◽  
Payam Sabaeifard ◽  
Farid Khalafi ◽  
Majid Jamil
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Horizontal Axis ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Navier Stokes Equations ◽  
Cfd Method

Integrating wind turbines in urban areas especially over buildings is a new way of producing electricity which is supported in recent years. Wind turbines sited well above the roof of buildings operate in skewed flow. In this paper, to examine variations in efficiency of wind turbines in this condition, two models of H-Rotor and horizontal axis wind turbine analyzed based on axial momentum theory through computer simulations. Simulations conducted through CFD method and k-ε turbulence model was utilized to analyze flow fluctuations in Navier-Stokes equations. Models show that, for an H-Rotor, the optimal power output in tilted flow can be up to two times the power output of horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT).

scholarly journals Two-dimensional numerical simulations of vortex-induced vibrations for wind turbine towers

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axelle Viré ◽  
Adriaan Derksen ◽  
Mikko Folkersma ◽  
Kumayl Sarwar
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Supercritical Regime ◽  
Vortex Induced Vibrations ◽  
Wind Turbine Towers ◽  
High Reynolds

Abstract. Vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) of wind turbine towers can be critical during the installation phase, when the rotor-nacelle assembly is not yet mounted on the tower. The present work uses numerical simulations to study VIV of a two-dimensional cylinder under conditions that are representative of wind turbine towers, both from a fluid-dynamics and structural-dynamics perspective. First, the numerical tools and fluid-structure interaction algorithm are verified by considering a cylinder vibrating freely in a laminar flow. In that case, both the motion amplitude and frequency are shown to agree well with previous results from the literature. Second, VIV is modelled in the turbulent supercritical regime using Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations. In this context, the turbulence model is first validated on flow past a stationary cylinder at high Reynolds number. Then, results from forced vibrations are validated against experimental results for a range of reduced frequencies and velocities. It is shown that the behaviour of the aerodynamic damping changes with the frequency ratio, and can therefore lead to either self-limiting or self-exciting VIV when the cylinder is left to freely vibrate. Finally, results are shown for a freely-vibrating cylinder under realistic flow and structural conditions. While a clear lock-in map is identified and shows good agreement with published numerical and experimental data, the work also highlights the unsteady nature of the aerodynamic forces and motion under certain operating conditions.

scholarly journals THE INFLUENCE OF THE TURBULENCE CLOSURE MODEL ON WAVE-CURRENT INTERACTION MODELING AT A LOCAL SCALE AT A LOCAL SCALE

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (33) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Maria João Teles ◽  
António Pires-Silva ◽  
Michel Benoit
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Local Scale ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Navier Stokes Equations ◽  
Turbulence Effects ◽  
Interaction Modeling ◽  
Flow Components

An advanced CFD solver based on the RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes) equations is used to evaluate wave-current interactions through numerical simulations of combined wave-current free surface turbulent flows. The repercussions of various schemes for modeling turbulence effects is addressed with a special attention to the exchanges and fluxes of momentum and energy between the mean flow components and the wave (oscillatory) component. Numerical simulations are compared with experimental data from Klopman (1994).

Power Generation From Wind Turbines in a Solar Chimney

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tudor Foote ◽  
Ramesh Agarwal
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Computational Study ◽  
Boussinesq Approximation ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Solar Chimney ◽  
Wind Speeds

In past several years, several studies have shown that the shrouded wind turbines can generate greater power compared to bare turbines. A solar chimney not only generates an upward draft of the wind inside the solar tower but also creates a shroud around the wind turbine. There is large number of empty silos on farms, especially in mid-western U.S. They can be used as a solar chimney with minor modifications at very modest cost. The objective of this study is to determine the potential of these silos/chimneys in generating wind-power by installing a wind turbine inside the silo. An analytical/computational study is performed to evaluate this potential by employing the well known commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software FLUENT. An actuator disc model is used to model the turbine. Calculations are performed for three cases using the dimensions of a typical silo and assuming Class 3 wind velocity: (a) bare turbine (without enclosing silo), (b) turbine enclosed by a cylindrical silo, and (c) the turbine enclosed by the cylindrical silo with a diffuser at the top of the silo. The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with Boussinesq approximation and a two equation realizable k–ε model are employed in the calculations. Cp and generated power are calculated for the three cases. It was found that the silo increases the Cp beyond the Betz’s limit significantly and as a result the generated power; this effect is consistent with that found in the recent literature that the shrouded wind-turbines can generate greater power than the bare turbines. The inclusion of a diffuser on top of the silo further increases the generated power and Cp. The results reported here are for typical silo dimensions and wind speeds; the results for silos with different dimensions and wind speeds can be easily generated. This study shows the potential of using abandoned silos in mid-west for wind power generation.

scholarly journals Two-dimensional numerical simulations of vortex-induced vibrations for a cylinder in conditions representative of wind turbine towers

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 793-806
Author(s):  
Axelle Viré ◽  
Adriaan Derksen ◽  
Mikko Folkersma ◽  
Kumayl Sarwar
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Supercritical Regime ◽  
Vortex Induced Vibrations ◽  
Wind Turbine Towers ◽  
High Reynolds

Abstract. Vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs) of wind turbine towers can be critical during the installation phase, when the rotor–nacelle assembly is not yet mounted on the tower. The present work uses numerical simulations to study VIVs of a two-dimensional cylinder in the transverse direction under flow conditions that are representative of wind turbine towers both from a fluid dynamics and structural dynamics perspective. First, the numerical tools and fluid–structure interaction algorithm are validated by considering a cylinder vibrating freely in a laminar flow. In that case, both the motion amplitude and frequency are shown to agree well with previous results from the literature. Second, VIVs are modelled in the turbulent supercritical regime using unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations. In this context, the turbulence model is first validated against flow past a stationary cylinder with a high Reynolds number. Then, the results from forced vibrations are validated against experimental results for a range of reduced frequencies and velocities. It is shown that the behaviour of the aerodynamic damping changes with the frequency ratio and can therefore lead to either self-limiting or self-exciting VIVs when the cylinder is left to freely vibrate. Finally, results are shown for a freely vibrating cylinder under realistic flow and structural conditions. While a clear lock-in map is identified and shows good agreement with published numerical and experimental data, the work also highlights the unsteady nature of the aerodynamic forces and motion under certain operating conditions.

Analysis of a Concept for a Low Wind Speed Tolerant Axial Wind Turbine

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali A. Ameri ◽  
Majid Rashidi
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Ambient Wind ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Low Wind Speed ◽  
Low Wind Speeds

In this paper, the authors analyze a design for a wind tower intended for areas of low wind speeds. The wind tower consists of a combination of several rooftop size turbines arranged alongside a cylindrical structure that acts as a Wind Deflecting Structure (WDS). The WDS amplifies the effective wind speed thus allowing the turbine rotors to operate under lower ambient wind speeds. Analyses were performed using simple models as well as more sophisticated CFD methods employing Steady and Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes methodology. The effect of the wind amplification was shown on a commercial small wind turbine power output map. Also, a wind turbine rotor flow was computed as operating alongside the WDS and compared to the computed operation of isolated turbines at equal effective and ambient wind velocities. The computational analyses of this work suggest that the power output of isolated rooftop wind turbines deployed at low to moderate wind speed may be matched by installing wind turbines alongside a cylindrical wind deflecting structure operating at lower wind speeds. Other benefits of the arrangement are also enumerated.

scholarly journals Correlations of power output fluctuations in an offshore wind farm using high-resolution SCADA data

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 997-1014
Author(s):  
Janna Kristina Seifert ◽  
Martin Kraft ◽  
Martin Kühn ◽  
Laura J. Lukassen
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Farm ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Output Fluctuations ◽  
Power Difference ◽  
Time Correlations

Abstract. Space–time correlations of power output fluctuations of wind turbine pairs provide information on the flow conditions within a wind farm and the interactions of wind turbines. Such information can play an essential role in controlling wind turbines and short-term load or power forecasting. However, the challenges of analysing correlations of power output fluctuations in a wind farm are the highly varying flow conditions. Here, we present an approach to investigate space–time correlations of power output fluctuations of streamwise-aligned wind turbine pairs based on high-resolution supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data. The proposed approach overcomes the challenge of spatially variable and temporally variable flow conditions within the wind farm. We analyse the influences of the different statistics of the power output of wind turbines on the correlations of power output fluctuations based on 8 months of measurements from an offshore wind farm with 80 wind turbines. First, we assess the effect of the wind direction on the correlations of power output fluctuations of wind turbine pairs. We show that the correlations are highest for the streamwise-aligned wind turbine pairs and decrease when the mean wind direction changes its angle to be more perpendicular to the pair. Further, we show that the correlations for streamwise-aligned wind turbine pairs depend on the location of the wind turbines within the wind farm and on their inflow conditions (free stream or wake). Our primary result is that the standard deviations of the power output fluctuations and the normalised power difference of the wind turbines in a pair can characterise the correlations of power output fluctuations of streamwise-aligned wind turbine pairs. Further, we show that clustering can be used to identify different correlation curves. For this, we employ the data-driven k-means clustering algorithm to cluster the standard deviations of the power output fluctuations of the wind turbines and the normalised power difference of the wind turbines in a pair. Thereby, wind turbine pairs with similar power output fluctuation correlations are clustered independently from their location. With this, we account for the highly variable flow conditions inside a wind farm, which unpredictably influence the correlations.

Analysis of Unsteady Flows Past Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Airfoils Based on Harmonic Balance Compressible Navier-Stokes Equations With Low-Speed Preconditioning

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sergio Campobasso ◽  
Mohammad H. Baba-Ahmadi
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Harmonic Balance ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamics ◽  
Horizontal Axis ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Computational Performance

This paper presents the numerical models underlying the implementation of a novel harmonic balance compressible Navier-Stokes solver with low-speed preconditioning for wind turbine unsteady aerodynamics. The numerical integration of the harmonic balance equations is based on a multigrid iteration, and, for the first time, a numerical instability associated with the use of such an explicit approach in this context is discussed and resolved. The harmonic balance solver with low-speed preconditioning is well suited for the analyses of several unsteady periodic low-speed flows, such as those encountered in horizontal axis wind turbines. The computational performance and the accuracy of the technology being developed are assessed by computing the flow field past two sections of a wind turbine blade in yawed wind with both the time- and frequency-domain solvers. Results highlight that the harmonic balance solver can compute these periodic flows more than 10 times faster than its time-domain counterpart, and with an accuracy comparable to that of the time-domain solver.

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