Comparison of the Computational Fluid Dynamics Predictions of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Performance Against Detailed Pressure Measurements

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are currently one of the most popular methods for the modelling of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) that gives good insight on the turbine aerodynamics. The current study provides an assessment of the quality of the 2D and 3D CFD predictions of two highly recommended models in the literature, namely the SST K-ω model and the SST K-ω with the γ Intermittency transition model. The novelty of the study is in the kind of data that is used in the assessment. The CFD predictions of the pressure around the blade at several azimuthal angles are compared to the published experimental data measured by a high-frequency multiport pressure scanner. In addition, the predictions of the pressure contribution to the instantaneous power coefficient are compared to the experimental data. This paper sheds much new light on how the behaviour of the predictions of the SST K-ω with the γ intermittency transition model changes between the 2D and 3D cases and how the trends of the 2D results based on this transition model deviate from the detailed experimental data. This behaviour has not been previously investigated.

[1]  N. H. Saad,et al.  Assessing Wind Energy Conversion Systems Based on Newly Developed Wind Turbine Emulator , 2020, International Journal of Smart grid.

[2]  Lin Ma,et al.  Adjoint based optimisation for efficient VAWT blade aerodynamics using CFD , 2020 .

[3]  D. Ingham,et al.  A critical analysis of the stall onset in vertical axis wind turbines , 2020 .

[4]  D. Ingham,et al.  Aerodynamic investigation of the start-up process of H-type vertical axis wind turbines using CFD , 2020 .

[5]  Sidi Salah Ech-Charqaouy,et al.  Integration of Decentralized Generations into the Distribution Network- Smart Grid Downstream of the Meter , 2020, International Journal of Smart grid.

[6]  Zhenguo Wang,et al.  Winglet design for vertical axis wind turbines based on a design of experiment and CFD approach , 2019, Energy Conversion and Management.

[7]  B. Blocken,et al.  On the accuracy of turbulence models for CFD simulations of vertical axis wind turbines , 2019, Energy.

[8]  A. Dessoky,et al.  Blade shape effect on the behavior of the H-rotor Darrieus wind turbine: Performance investigation and force analysis , 2019, Energy.

[9]  Giacomo Bruno Azzurro Persico,et al.  2D-3D Computations of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Field: Modeling Issues and Physical Interpretations , 2019, Renewable Energy.

[10]  Mohamed Pourkashanian,et al.  CFD analysis of the angle of attack for a vertical axis wind turbine blade , 2019, Energy Conversion and Management.

[11]  D. Ingham,et al.  A Procedure to Predict the Power Coefficient of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines at Low Tip Speed Ratios , 2019, AIAA Scitech 2019 Forum.

[12]  Jaruwan Chaiyanupong,et al.  Effects of turbulence models and grid densities on computational accuracy of flows over a vertical axis wind turbine , 2018, International Journal of Renewable Energy Development.

[13]  L. Battisti,et al.  Small wind turbine effectiveness in the urban environment , 2018, Renewable Energy.

[14]  Kenneth Okedu,et al.  A variable-speed wind turbine flywheel-based coordinated control system for enhancing grid frequency dynamics , 2018 .

[15]  Jairo Espinosa,et al.  Multi-Objective Optimal Sizing Design of a Diesel- PV-Wind-Battery Hybrid Power System in Colombia , 2018, International Journal of Smart grid.

[16]  K. Rogowski.  Numerical studies on two turbulence models and a laminar model for aerodynamics of a vertical-axis wind turbine , 2018, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology.

[17]  B. Blocken,et al.  Towards accurate CFD simulations of vertical axis wind turbines at different tip speed ratios and solidities: Guidelines for azimuthal increment, domain size and convergence , 2018 .

[18]  D. Ingham,et al.  EFFECTS OF TURBULENCE MODELLING ON THE PREDICTIONS OF THE PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION AROUND THE WING OF A SMALL SCALE VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINE , 2018 .

[19]  D. Ramos,et al.  CFD study of a vertical axis counter-rotating wind turbine , 2017, 2017 IEEE 6th International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Applications (ICRERA).

[20]  Masoud Ghasemian,et al.  A review on computational fluid dynamic simulation techniques for Darrieus vertical axis wind turbines , 2017 .

[21]  Peter Bachant,et al.  Effectiveness of two-dimensional CFD simulations for Darrieus VAWTs: a combined numerical and experimental assessment , 2017 .

[22]  Takao Maeda,et al.  Wind tunnel and numerical study of a straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine in three-dimensional analysis (Part I: For predicting aerodynamic loads and performance) , 2016 .

[23]  Anders Goude,et al.  Numerical Validation of a Vortex Model against ExperimentalData on a Straight-Bladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbine , 2015 .

[24]  Gábor Janiga,et al.  Comparative analysis of turbulence models for the aerodynamic simulation of H-Darrieus rotors , 2015 .

[25]  Lin Ma,et al.  Modeling dynamic stall of a straight blade vertical axis wind turbine , 2015 .

[26]  Wenbin Ju,et al.  Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine: Basic research methods , 2015 .

[27]  I. Akhtar,et al.  Quantification of the effects of geometric approximations on the performance of a vertical axis wind turbine , 2015 .

[28]  Takahiro Kiwata,et al.  Numerical and experimental studies of a small vertical-axis wind turbine with variable-pitch straight blades , 2015 .

[29]  Flavien Billard,et al.  Turbulence modelling of low Reynolds number flow effects around a vertical axis turbine at a range of tip-speed ratios , 2014 .

[30]  A. Simonović,et al.  Numerical and Analytical Investigation of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine , 2013 .

[31]  Francesco Balduzzi,et al.  Feasibility analysis of a Darrieus vertical-axis wind turbine installation in the rooftop of a building , 2012 .

[32]  Frédéric Hauville,et al.  CFD Simulation and Experimental Validation of a Vertical Axis Turbine: Toward Variable Pitch Cross-Flow Marine Turbine for Maximizing Hydropower Extraction—The SHIVA Project , 2011 .

[33]  Ning Qin,et al.  Wind tunnel and numerical study of a small vertical axis wind turbine , 2008 .

[34]  I. Paraschivoiu,et al.  Double-multiple streamtube model for Darrieus in turbines , 1981 .

[35]  J. H. Strickland,et al.  A Vortex Model of the Darrieus Turbine: An Analytical and Experimental Study , 1979 .