Straight-bladed Darrieus wind turbines a protagonists view
The technology development and market penetration of Darrieus and propeller-type wind turbines is addressed. Important characteristics of competing configurations are compared, and it is claimed that aerodynamic efficiency is not a distinguishing feature. Advantages of the Darrieus machine include omni-directionality and selflimitation, but propeller types require less rotor length per unit swept area. It is argued that the straight-bladed Darrieus is much simpler than the curved-bladed and should be capable of comparable aerodynamic efficiency. Some of the problems of structural design, as well as blade induced drag losses and support-arm counter torque, diminish rapidly as machine size is increased. Taper ratio has similar beneficial effects.
- Research Organization:
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Davis
- OSTI ID:
- 5733246
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-840804-
- Journal Information:
- Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States), Vol. 4; Conference: Intersociety energy conversion engineering conference, San Francisco, CA, USA, 19 Aug 1984
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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