The 3D effects of a vertical-axis wind turbine

Rotor and wake induction

Journal Article (2020)
Author(s)

Delphine de Tavernier (TU Delft - Wind Energy)

C. Simao Ferreira (TU Delft - Wind Energy)

U. Paulsen (Technical University of Denmark (DTU))

H. Madsen (Technical University of Denmark (DTU))

Research Group
Wind Energy
Copyright
© 2020 D. De Tavernier, Carlos Ferreira, U. Paulsen, H. Madsen
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1618/5/052040
More Info
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Publication Year
2020
Language
English
Copyright
© 2020 D. De Tavernier, Carlos Ferreira, U. Paulsen, H. Madsen
Research Group
Wind Energy
Issue number
5
Volume number
1618
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Abstract

This paper deals with the 3D effects of a vertical-axis wind turbine caused by the tip vortices. In this study, the VAWT rotor is simplified by the infinitely bladed actuator cylinder concept. The loads are prescribed to be uniform and normal to the surface and are distributed between the upwind and downwind half. Depending on the load configuration, the tip vortices are shed at different locations. This causes the wake induction field and the induction at the rotor to be significantly different. The 3D effects cause a power loss that may go up to 15% depending on the load configuration and aspect ratio. Starting from an aspect ratio of 5, the rotor induction and power is approaching 2D results.