scholarly journals A multi-purpose lifting-line flow solver for arbitrary wind energy concepts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Branlard ◽  
Ian Brownstein ◽  
Benjamin Strom ◽  
Jason Jonkman ◽  
Scott Dana ◽  
...  

Abstract. In this work, we extend the AeroDyn module of OpenFAST to be able to support arbitrary collections of wings, rotors and towers. The new standalone AeroDyn driver supports arbitrary motions of the lifting-surfaces and complex turbulent inflows. We describe the features and updates necessary for the implementation of the new AeroDyn driver. We present different case studies of the driver to illustrate its application to concepts such as: multi-rotors, kites, or vertical axis wind turbines. We perform verification and validation of some of the new features using the following test cases: an elliptical wing, a horizontal axis wind turbine, and a 2D and 3D vertical axis wind turbines. The wind turbine simulations are compared to field measurements. We use this opportunity to point out some limitations of current models and highlight areas which we think should be the focus of future research in wind turbine aerodynamics.

The consumption of electricity in urban as well as rural is increasing every day and became an essential commodity for household and industrial purposes. Unfortunately the availability of electrical energy in India is not sufficient to the required demand and it is essential to discover and generate energy from non-conventional sources with cheap cost. On the same time it is necessary to reduce the consumption of conventional sources and to save fuel. Among all the renewable resources, wind is one of the best resources available all the time at free of cost. Especially vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) are self-starting, omni directional. They require no yaw mechanism to continuously orient towards the wind direction and provide a more reliable energy conversion technology, as compared to horizontal axis wind turbine. Particularly savonius vertical axis wind turbines (SVAWT) are suitable and practically possible at low or uncertain wind speed regimes. They can be fitted on rooftops and also suitable for the urban areas where electricity is not available properly. This project deals with the fabrication and performance evaluation of savonius vertical axis wind turbine using two blade rotor. The amount of power developed by the wind turbine is calculated under theoretical and practical conditions and aerodynamics coefficients are also estimated. And various design parameters of savonious rotor are identified and determined.


Author(s):  
Mosfequr Rahman ◽  
Khandakar N. Morshed ◽  
Jeffery Lewis ◽  
Mark Fuller

With the growing demand of energy worldwide, conventional energy is becoming more and more scarce and expensive. The United States is already facing an energy crunch as the fuel price soars. Therefore, there is an obvious need for alternative sources of energy—perhaps more than ever. Wind is among the most popular and fastest-growing forms of electricity generation in the world, which is pollution free and available almost at any time of the day, especially in the coastal regions. The main attraction of the vertical-axis wind turbine is its manufacturing simplicity compared to that of the horizontal-axis wind turbine. Among all different vertical axis wind turbines, Savonius wind turbine is the simplest one. Operation of the Savonius wind turbine is based on the difference of the drag force on its semi-spherical blades, depending on whether the wind is striking the convex or the concave part of the blades. The advantage of this type of wind turbine is its good self-starting and wind directional independence characteristic. It, however, has a relatively lower efficiency in comparison with the lift type vertical-axis wind turbines. Due to its simple design and low construction cost, Savonius rotors are primarily used for water pumping and wind power on a small scale. The main objective of this ongoing research work is to improve the aerodynamic performance of vertical axis Savonius wind turbine. Wind tunnel investigation has been performed on aerodynamic characteristics, such as drag coefficients, and static torque coefficient of three-bladed Savonius rotor model. Also the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has been performed using FLUENT software to analyze the static rotor aerodynamics such as drag coefficients and torque coefficient, and these results are compared with the corresponding experimental results for verification.


2019 ◽  
pp. 0309524X1987402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth Erfort ◽  
Theodor W von Backström ◽  
Gerhard Venter

Vertical-axis wind turbines have been confined to small-scale generation in urban environments where their omnidirectional capability offers them an advantage over the more ubiquitous horizontal-axis wind turbine. With a drive towards renewable energy, more opportunities exist for the implementation of wind turbines in a multitude of environments. Based on its inherent operational drawbacks, the vertical-axis wind turbine has not undergone extensive investigation. Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in the technology. This article addresses the torque ripple, a variation in torque produced by the turbine, present during operation. The variation in torque generated by a vertical-axis wind turbine increases the likelihood of failure due to fatigue. Current treatment is symptomatic and addresses the result of the torque fluctuation and not the cause. A novel blade design, capable of altering the lift and drag response through shape alteration, is presented as a solution. The blade design and operation is achieved through genetic algorithm optimization and computational fluid dynamic simulations. Comparisons with previous work show the novel blade presented here surpasses the reduction seen with pitching solutions. A 25% reduction in torque ripple was demonstrated for a 17% reduction in performance coefficient using the surface distortion approach. This surpasses the foil pitching approach which achieved a 15% torque ripple reduction for the same loss in performance coefficient.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0309524X2110618
Author(s):  
Syed Abdur Rahman Tahir ◽  
Muhammad Shakeel Virk

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) can be a promising solution for electricity production in remote ice prone territories of high north, where good wind resources are available, but icing is a challenge that can affect its optimum operation. A lot of research has been made to study the icing effects on the conventional horizontal axis wind turbines, but the literature about vertical axis wind turbines operating in icing conditions is still scarce, despite the importance of this topic. This paper presents a review study about existing knowledge of VAWT operation in icing condition. Focus has been made in better understanding of ice accretion physics along VAWT blades and methods to detect and mitigate icing effects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 897 (1) ◽  
pp. 012001
Author(s):  
Oleg Goman ◽  
Andrii Dreus ◽  
Anton Rozhkevych ◽  
Krystyna Heti

Abstract Until recently, vertical-axis wind turbines are less extensively developed in wind energetics. At the same time, there are a number of advantages in turbines of such type like their independence from the change of wind direction, lower levels of aerodynamic and infrasound noises, higher structural reliability (compared to horizontal engines), etc. With these advantages, vertical-axis wind turbines demonstrate promising capacities. Inter alia, the productiveness of such turbines can be refined through the aerodynamic improvement of the structure and comprehensive optimization of the rotor geometry. The main purpose of the presented paper is to aerodynamically improve vertical wind turbine in order to increase the efficiency of wind energy conversion into electricity. Within the framework of the classical theory of impulses, this article presents a study of the effect of variation in Reynolds number on the general energy characteristics of a vertical-axis wind turbine with two blades. The integral approach makes it possible to use a single-disk impulse model to determine the main specific indicators of the system. The power factor was calculated based on the obtained value of the shaft torque factor, which in turn was determined by numerically integrating the total torque generated by the wind turbine. To calculate the test problem, we used the classic NACA airfoils: 0012, 0015, 0018 and 0021. The proposed calculation algorithm makes it possible not to indicate the Reynolds number and corresponding aerodynamic coefficients at the beginning of the calculation, but to recalculate it depending on the relative speed, position of the airfoil and the linear speed of the airfoil around the circumference. Proposed modern design techniques can be helpful for optimization of vertical wind turbines.


Author(s):  
Zhenlong Wu ◽  
Yihua Cao

Rainfall is a common meteorological condition that wind turbines may encounter and by which their performance may be affected. This paper comprehensively investigates the effects of rainfall on a NACA 0015 airfoil which is commonly used in vertical axis wind turbines. A CFD-based Eulerian–Lagrangian multiphase approach is proposed to study the static, rotating, and oscillating performances of the NACA 0015 airfoil in rainy conditions. It is found that for the different airfoil movements, the airfoil performance can seriously be deteriorated in the rain condition. Rain also causes premature boundary layer separations and more severe flow recirculations than in the dry condition. These findings seem to be the first open reports on rain effects on wind turbine performance and should be of some significance to practical design.


2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Cevasco ◽  
M Collu ◽  
CM Rizzo ◽  
M Hall

Despite several potential advantages, relatively few studies and design support tools have been developed for floating vertical axis wind turbines. Due to the substantial aerodynamics differences, the analyses of vertical axis wind turbine on floating structures cannot be easily extended from what have been already done for horizontal axis wind turbines. Therefore, the main aim of the present work is to compare the dynamic response of the floating offshore wind turbine system adopting two different mooring dynamics approaches. Two versions of the in-house aero-hydro-mooring coupled model of dynamics for floating vertical axis wind turbine (FloVAWT) have been used, employing a mooring quasi-static model, which solves the equations using an energetic approach, and a modified version of floating vertical axis wind turbine, which instead couples with the lumped mass mooring line model MoorDyn. The results, in terms of mooring line tension, fatigue and response in frequency have been obtained and analysed, based on a 5 MW Darrieus type rotor supported by the OC4-DeepCwind semisubmersible.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 168781401879954
Author(s):  
Soo-Yong Cho ◽  
Sang-Kyu Choi ◽  
Jin-Gyun Kim ◽  
Chong-Hyun Cho

In order to augment the performance of vertical axis wind turbines, wind power towers have been used because they increase the frontal area. Typically, the wind power tower is installed as a circular column around a vertical axis wind turbine because the vertical axis wind turbine should be operated in an omnidirectional wind. As a result, the performance of the vertical axis wind turbine depends on the design parameters of the wind power tower. An experimental study was conducted in a wind tunnel to investigate the optimal design parameters of the wind power tower. Three different sizes of guide walls were applied to test with various wind power tower design parameters. The tested vertical axis wind turbine consisted of three blades of the NACA0018 profile and its solidity was 0.5. In order to simulate the operation in omnidirectional winds, the wind power tower was fabricated to be rotated. The performance of the vertical axis wind turbine was severely varied depending on the azimuthal location of the wind power tower. Comparison of the performance of the vertical axis wind turbine was performed based on the power coefficient obtained by averaging for the one periodic azimuth angle. The optimal design parameters were estimated using the results obtained under equal experimental conditions. When the non-dimensional inner gap was 0.3, the performance of the vertical axis wind turbine was better than any other gaps.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.13) ◽  
pp. 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhd Khudri Johari ◽  
Muhammad Azim A Jalil ◽  
Mohammad Faizal Mohd Shariff

As the demand for green technology is rising rapidly worldwide, it is important that Malaysian researchers take advantage of Malaysia’s windy climates and areas to initiate more power generation projects using wind. The main objectives of this study are to build a functional wind turbine and to compare the performance of two types of design for wind turbine under different speeds and behaviours of the wind. A three-blade horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) and a Darrieus-type vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) have been designed with CATIA software and constructed using a 3D-printing method. Both wind turbines have undergone series of tests before the voltage and current output from the wind turbines are collected. The result of the test is used to compare the performance of both wind turbines that will imply which design has the best efficiency and performance for Malaysia’s tropical climate. While HAWT can generate higher voltage (up to 8.99 V at one point), it decreases back to 0 V when the wind angle changes. VAWT, however, can generate lower voltage (1.4 V) but changes in the wind angle does not affect its voltage output at all. The analysis has proven that VAWT is significantly more efficient to be built and utilized for Malaysia’s tropical and windy climates. This is also an initiative project to gauge the possibility of building wind turbines, which could be built on the extensive and windy areas surrounding Malaysian airports.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7818
Author(s):  
Jose Alberto Moleón Baca ◽  
Antonio Jesús Expósito González ◽  
Candido Gutiérrez Montes

This paper presents a numerical and experimental analysis of the patent of a device to be used in vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) under extreme wind conditions. The device consists of two hemispheres interconnected by a set of conveniently implemented variable section ducts through which the wind circulates to the blades. Furthermore, the design of the cross-section of the ducts allows the control of the wind speed inside the device. These ducts are intended to work as diffusers or nozzles, depending on the needs of the installation site. Simulations were performed for the case of high-speed external wind, for which the ducts act as diffusers to reduce wind speed and maintain a well-functioning internal turbine. Four different patent designs were analyzed, focusing on turbine performance and generated power. The results indicate that the patent allows the generation of electric power for a greater range of wind speeds than with a normal wind turbine. The results support that this patent may be a good alternative for wind power generation in geographic areas with extreme weather conditions or with maintained or strong gusty wind. Experimental tests were carried out on the movement of the blades using the available model. Finally, the power curve of the model of this wind turbine was obtained.


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