Vertical axis wind turbine power regulation through centrifugally pumped lift spoiling
This paper describes an approach for lowering the rated windspeeds of Darrieus-type vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) whose blades are hollow aluminum extrusions. The blades, which when rotating act as centrifugal pumps, are fitted with a series of small perforations distributed along a portion of the blades' span. By valving the ends of the hollow blades, flow into the blade ends and out of the perforations may be controlled. This flow can induce premature aerodynamic stall on the blade elements, thereby reducing both the rated power of the turbine and its cost-of-energy. The concept has been proven on the Sandia National Laboratories 5-m diameter research VAWT and force balance and flow visualization wind tunnel tests have been conducted using a blade section designed for the VAWT application.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); Washington Univ., Seattle (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5573076
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-85-1408C; CONF-850604-3; ON: DE85013787
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: INTERSOL '85 - Solar energy--the diverse solution, Montreal, Canada, 23 Jun 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Intracycle RPM control for vertical axis wind turbines
Economic overview of vertical axis wind turbines