Computational Aerodynamic Analysis of Offshore Upwind and Downwind Turbines

Journal Article · Wed Oct 29 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Journal of Aerodynamics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/860637· OSTI ID:1227762

Zhao, Qiuying ^[1]; Sheng, Chunhua ^[1]; Afjeh, Abdollah ^[1]

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1. The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA

Aerodynamic interactions of the model NREL 5 MW offshore horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) are investigated using a high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. Four wind turbine configurations are considered; three-bladed upwind and downwind and two-bladed upwind and downwind configurations, which operate at two different rotor speeds of 12.1 and 16 RPM. In the present study, both steady and unsteady aerodynamic loads, such as the rotor torque, blade hub bending moment, and base the tower bending moment of the tower, are evaluated in detail to provide overall assessment of different wind turbine configurations. Aerodynamic interactions between the rotor and tower are analyzed, including the rotor wake development downstream. The computational analysis provides insight into aerodynamic performance of the upwind and downwind, two- and three-bladed horizontal axis wind turbines.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: FG36-06GO86096; EE0003540
• OSTI ID: 1227762
• Journal Information: Journal of Aerodynamics, Journal Name: Journal of Aerodynamics Vol. 2014; ISSN 2356-7139
• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English