Study of the near wake structure of a wind turbine comparing measurements from laboratory and full-scale experiments

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996 · Solar Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(96)00019-9· OSTI ID:501967

Whale, J; Skyner, D J ^[1]; Papadopoulos, K H; Helmis, C G ^[2]; Anderson, C G ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Edinburgh (United Kingdom)
2. Univ. of Athens (Greece)
3. Aerpac Special Products B.V., Almelo (Netherlands)

Wake flow measurements have been performed using the technique of particle image velocimetry (PIV) at stations downstream from a model wind turbine rotor, and evaluated against experimental data from two full-scale machines. Comparisons include both mean velocity and turbulent intensity cross-wake profiles at a range of tip speed ratios. The application of PIV to the study of wind turbine wakes is described in detail, including the steps required to ensure appropriate and accurate simulation of the flow field conditions. The results suggest that the PIV method is a potentially useful tool in the investigation of detailed wake flow, though significant differences are observed between wake velocity deficits at full- and model scale. These are discussed with regard to scale effect, the influence of terrain, model similarity, and the phenomenon of wake meandering and effective cross-wake smoothing. 17 refs., 13 figs.

• OSTI ID: 501967
• Journal Information: Solar Energy, Vol. 56, Issue 6; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1996
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES
WIND TURBINES
DESIGN
FLUID FLOW
VELOCITY
MEASURING METHODS
VELOCIMETERS