Large-eddy simulations of turbulent flows in arrays of helical- and straight-bladed vertical-axis wind turbines

Gharaati, Masoumeh; Wei, Nathaniel J.; Dabiri, John O.; Martínez-Tossas, Luis A.; Yang, Di

doi:10.1063/5.0172007

Title: Large-eddy simulations of turbulent flows in arrays of helical- and straight-bladed vertical-axis wind turbines

Journal Article · 12 December 2023 · Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0172007 · OSTI ID:2282549

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Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston 1 , Houston, Texas 77204, USA
Graduate Aeronautical Laboratories, California Institute of Technology 2 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA
Graduate Aeronautical Laboratories, California Institute of Technology 2 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA; Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, California Institute of Technology 3 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA
National Renewable Energy Laboratory 4 , Golden, Colorado 80401, USA

Effects of helical-shaped blades on the flow characteristics and power production of finite-length wind farms composed of vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are studied numerically using large-eddy simulation (LES). Two helical-bladed VAWTs (with opposite blade twist angles) are studied against one straight-bladed VAWT in different array configurations with coarse, intermediate, and tight spacings. Statistical analysis of the LES data shows that the helical-bladed VAWTs can improve the mean power production in the fully developed region of the array by about 4.94%–7.33% compared with the corresponding straight-bladed VAWT cases. The helical-bladed VAWTs also cover the azimuth angle more smoothly during the rotation, resulting in about 47.6%–60.1% reduction in the temporal fluctuation of the VAWT power output. Using the helical-bladed VAWTs also reduces the fatigue load on the structure by significantly reducing the spanwise bending moment (relative to the bottom base), which may improve the longevity of the VAWT system to reduce the long-term maintenance cost.

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Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Wind Energy Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 2282549

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5000-88125; MainId:88900; UUID:5dae7b2a-a9f1-402e-ade8-a368be7988a1; MainAdminId:71610

Journal Information:: Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Journal Name: Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 15; ISSN 1941-7012

Publisher:: American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Large-eddy simulations of turbulent flows in arrays of helical- and straight-bladed vertical-axis wind turbines

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