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Title: Blade Load Unsteadiness and Turbulence Statistics in an Actuator-Line Computed Turbine–Turbine Interaction Problem

Journal Article · · Journal of Solar Energy Engineering
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4032545· OSTI ID:1348918
 [1];  [1]
  1. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States). Dept. of Aerospace Engineering
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The objective of this study is to investigate how different volumetric projection techniques used in actuator-line modeling affect the unsteady blade loads and wake turbulence statistics. The two techniques for the body-force projection radius are based on either (i) the grid spacing or (ii) the combination of grid spacing and an equivalent elliptic blade planform. An array of two National Renewable Energy Laboratory 5-MW turbines separated by seven rotor diameters is simulated for 2000s (about rotor 300 revolutions) within a large-eddy simulation (LES) solver of the neutral and moderately convective atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). The statistics of sectional angle of attack (AOA), blade loads, and turbine power histories are quantified. Moreover, the degree of unsteadiness of sectional blade loads in response to atmospheric and wake turbulence is computed via a reduced frequency based on the rate-of-change in sectional AOA. Finally, the goal of this work is to make the wind energy community aware of the uncertainties associated with actuator-line modeling approaches.

Research Organization:
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Wind and Water Technologies Office (EE-4W)
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0005481
OSTI ID:
1348918
Journal Information:
Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Vol. 138, Issue 3; ISSN 0199-6231
Publisher:
ASMECopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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17 WIND ENERGY
42 ENGINEERING
Simulation
Stress
Turbines
Blades
Turbulence
Actuators
Wakes
Statistics as topic