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The aerodynamic loading of a vertical axis wind turbine varies with the azimuth position of the blades. The thrust of the VAWT can be computed as a decomposition of the normal force on each of the blades. By varying the blade loading as a function of turbine azimuth, it is possible to vary the direction of the average thrust of the turbine. An experiment is performed using an active pitch controlled H-VAWT turbine in the Open Jet Facility at TU Delft demonstrating the ability to actively vary the rotor aerodynamic loading and as a result the average thrust vector. By applying a sinusoidal pitch actuation with phase offsets, a directional change in the average thrust vector of over 78? was demonstrated., Wind Energy

A digital twin can be described as a digital replica of a physical asset. The use of such models is key to understanding complex loading phenomena experienced during testing of vertical axis wind turbines. Unsteady aerodynamic and structural effects such as dynamic stall and dynamically changing thrust and blade loading are difficult to predict with certainty. This leads to inefficient turbine designs or worse yet premature failures. Many of these phenomena can be better understood through scaled wind tunnel testing. The analysis of these test results is greatly improved by having a well calibrated digital twin model of the turbine. This paper discusses the methodologies used in the development of the model for a H style vertical axis wind turbine. This includes physical measurements of the as built system, updates to the models based upon experimental testing and a final correlation between test and model on a component by component as well as fully assembled system., Wind Energy

Wind tunnel experiments on a scaled vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) and square porous plate with a porosity of 64% are conducted in the W-tunnel of TU-Delft. The VAWT thrusts in axial and lateral directions are measured with an in-house load cell system based on moment conservation. Wake of the VAWT in tip speed ratio of 1.5 and 2.5 and the porous plate is measured with the robotic particle image velocimetry technique, which enables a three-dimensional velocity measurement in a combined volume encompassing from 1 diameter upstream to 3 diameters downstream. Counter-rotating vortex pairs in VAWT wake and the wake shape deformation and deflection are discussed, which are related to the lateral thrust. A square porous plate inducing a similar axial thrust is compared, which has the same shape as the cross-section of the VAWT. Wake of the right porous plate with a yaw angle of 15? is investigated, which produces similar deflection as the VAWT., Wind Energy, Aerodynamics, Flow Physics and Technology

The paper presents an experimental study of applying variable loads on a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT). The experiment is conducted in an open-jet wind tunnel on a two-bladed Darrieus VAWT equipped with active individual blade pitch control. Variable loads are achieved by dynamically changing the pitch angle of the individual blades and by keeping the wind speed of the tunnel constant. The blade loads are measured using strain gages and the flow velocity is measured upwind and downwind of the rotor using a hotwire. Dynamic inflow phenomena are clearly visible both in the turbine loads and in the velocity field. A time delay based upon the flow convection in the wake is identified. It results that the induction of the turbine can be controlled by changing the pitch of the blades. The experimental database allows to validate a new dynamic inflow model for VAWT and will be made publicly available for research purposes., Wind Energy

Simulation methods ensuring a level of fidelity higher than that of the ubiquitous Blade Element Momentum theory are increasingly applied to VAWTs, ranging from Lifting-Line methods, to Actuator Line or Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The inherent complexity of these machines, characterised by a continuous variation of the angle of attack during the cycloidal motion of the airfoils and the onset of many related unsteady phenomena, makes nonetheless a correct estimation of the actual aerodynamics extremely difficult. In particular, a better understanding of the actual angle of attack during the motion of a VAWT is pivotal to select the correct airfoil and functioning design conditions. Moving from this background, a high-fidelity unsteady CFD model of a 2-blade H-Darrieus rotor was developed and validated against unique experimental data collected using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). In order to reconstruct the AoA variation during one rotor revolution, three different methods-detailed in the study-were then applied to the computed CFD flow fields. The resulting AoA trends were combined with available blade forces data to assess the corresponding lift and drag coefficients over one rotor revolution and correlate them with the most evident flow macro-structures and with the onset of dynamic stall., Wind Energy

This paper deals with the 3D effects of a vertical-axis wind turbine caused by the tip vortices. In this study, the VAWT rotor is simplified by the infinitely bladed actuator cylinder concept. The loads are prescribed to be uniform and normal to the surface and are distributed between the upwind and downwind half. Depending on the load configuration, the tip vortices are shed at different locations. This causes the wake induction field and the induction at the rotor to be significantly different. The 3D effects cause a power loss that may go up to 15% depending on the load configuration and aspect ratio. Starting from an aspect ratio of 5, the rotor induction and power is approaching 2D results., Wind Energy

In this work, we demonstrate to what extent it is possible to use load optimisation to aerodynamically damp the floater motion of vertical-axis wind turbines. The loadform of a VAWT can be altered to the desired objective using an individual blade-pitch schedule. A coupled hydro- and aerodynamic simulation tool is built solving the equation of motion of the floating system in which the hydrodynamic loads and (frequency-dependent) matrices are modelled using the potential flow theory and the aerodynamic loads are computed using the Actuator Cylinder model. A blade-pitch optimisation schedule is included to redistribute the loads over the actuator with the objective to counter-act the hydrodynamic loads as much as possible without significant power loss. Using the simulation tool, it is shown that an intelligently determined blade-pitch schedule can decrease the floater motion, however, the potential of reducing the floater motion is limited by the fact that the aerodynamic loads are significantly smaller than the hydrodynamic loads especially for rough sea states., Wind Energy, Arts & Crafts

This paper presents a new dynamic inflow model for vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs). The model uses the principle of Duhamel's integral. The indicial function of the inflow- and crossflow-induction required to apply Duhamel's integral is represented by an exponential function depending on the thrust coefficient and the azimuthal position. The parameters of this approximation are calibrated using a free wake vortex model. The model is compared with the results of a vortex model and higher fidelity computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations for the response of an actuator cylinder to a step input of the thrust and to a cyclic thrust. It is found that the discrepancies of the dynamic inflow model increase with increasing reduced frequency and baseline thrust. However, the deviations remain small. Analysing the application of a finite-bladed floating VAWT with non-uniform loading and validating it against actuator line CFD results that intrinsically include dynamic inflow shows that the new dynamic inflow model significantly outperforms the Larsen and Madsen model (which is the current standard in fully coupled VAWT models) and enhances the modelling of VAWTs., Wind Energy

A modified free-wake vortex ring model is proposed to compute the dynamics of a floating horizontal-axis wind turbine, which is divided into two parts. The near wake model uses a blade bound vortex model and trailed vortex model, which is developed based on vortex filament method with straight lifting lines assumption. By contrast, the far wake model is based on the vortex ring method. The proposed model is a good compromise between accuracy and computational cost, for example when compared with more complex vortex methods. The present model is used to assess the influence of floating platform motions on the performance of a horizontal-axis wind turbine rotor. The results are validated on the 5 MW NREL rotor and compared with other aerodynamic models for the same rotor subjected to different platform motions. The results show that the proposed method is reliable. In addition, the proposed method is less time consuming and has similar accuracy when comparing with more advanced vortex based methods., Wind Energy

This paper investigates the need for dynamic inflow models for vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs). The approach is two-fold. First, dynamic inflow is realised by dynamic thrust on an actuator disk in OpenFOAM. The induction phase shift and amplitude showed a significant dependency on the streamwise location. Second, a reference turbine in surging motion is studied using an actuator line OpenFOAM model as reference and an actuator cylinder model (with and without dynamic inflow model). The Larsen and Madsen dynamic inflow model is able to capture the overall behaviour in dynamic inflow conditions, however, it may be improved in the most upwind and downwind location. This study indicates that the modelling of VAWTs in dynamic inflow conditions may be enhanced by improving the dynamic inflow models., OLD SnC Culture, Wind Energy

Spectral analysis was performed on the time series data computed from pressure measurements on the New MEXICO (Model Rotor Experiments under Controlled Conditions) rotor in standstill conditions. As a priori, 3D airfoil polars were recreated from standstill measurements and compared against 2D airfoil polars and flat plate theory results to verify the measurements. The spectral analysis revealed the presence of dominant shedding frequencies for certain ranges of the geometric angle of attack. Two dominant shedding modes were identified: One was associated with bluff body vortex shedding, and the other was associated with low Strouhal number shedding. No dominant shedding frequencies were observed for angles of attack beyond 50°. The research improves on our current understanding of the unsteady nature of the stall regime, along with providing insight into the existence of vortex-induced vibrations on a wind turbine in standstill conditions., Wind Energy

A modified free-wake vortex ring model is proposed to compute the dynamics of a floating horizontal-axis wind turbine, which is divided into two parts. The near wake model uses a blade bound vortex model and trailed vortex model, which is developed based on vortex filament method with straight lifting lines assumption. By contrast, the far wake model is based on the vortex ring method. The proposed model is a good compromise between accuracy and computational cost, for example when compared with more complex vortex methods. The present model is used to assess the influence of floating platform motions on the performance of a horizontal-axis wind turbine rotor. The results are validated on the 5 MW NREL rotor and compared with other aerodynamic models for the same rotor subjected to different platform motions. The results show that the proposed method is reliable. In addition, the proposed method is less time consuming and has similar accuracy when comparing with more advanced vortex based methods., Wind Energy

Two new engineering models are presented for the aerodynamic induction of a wind turbine under dynamic thrust. The models are developed using the differential form of Duhamel integrals of indicial responses of actuator disc type vortex models. The time constants of the indicial functions are obtained by the indicial responses of a linear and a nonlinear actuator disc model. The new dynamic-inflow engineering models are verified against the results of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model and compared against the dynamic-inflow engineering models of Pitt-Peters, Øye, and Energy Research Center of the Netherlands (ECN), for several load cases. Comparisons of all models show that two time constants are necessary to predict the dynamic induction. The amplitude and phase delay of the velocity distribution shows a strong radial dependency. Verifying the models against results from the CFD model shows that the model based on the linear actuator disc vortex model predicts a similar performance as the Øye model. The model based on the nonlinear actuator disc vortex model predicts the dynamic induction better than the other models concerning both phase delay and amplitude, especially at high load., Wind Energy

To advance the design of a multimegawatt vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT), application-specific airfoils need to be developed. In this research, airfoils are tailored for a VAWT with variable pitch. A genetic algorithm is used to optimise the airfoil shape considering a balance between the aerodynamic and structural performance of airfoils. At rotor scale, the aerodynamic objective aims to create the required optimal loading while minimising losses. The structural objective focusses on maximising the bending stiffness. Three airfoils from the Pareto front are selected and analysed using the actuator cylinder model and a prescribed-wake vortex code. The optimal pitch schedule is determined, and the loadings and power performance are studied for different tip-speed ratios and solidities. The comparison of the optimised airfoils with similar airfoils from the first generation shows a significant improvement in performance, and this proves the necessity to properly select the airfoil shape., Wind Energy

In the present work, the near-wake generated for a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) was simulated using an actuator line model (ALM) in order to validate and evaluate its accuracy. The sensitivity of the model to the variation of the spatial and temporal discretization was studied and showed a bigger response to the variation in the mesh size as compared with the temporal discretization. The large eddy simulation (LES) approach was used to predict the turbulence effects. The performance of Smagorinsky, dynamic k-equation, and dynamic Lagrangian turbulence models was tested, showing very little relevant differences between them. Generally, predicted results agree well with experimental data for velocity and vorticity fields in representative sections. The presented ALM was able to characterize the main phenomena involved in the flow pattern using a relatively low computational cost without stability concerns, identified the general wake structure (qualitatively and quantitatively), and the contribution from the blade tips and motion on it. Additionally, the effects of the tower and struts were investigated with respect to the overall structure of the wake, showing no significant modification. Similarities and discrepancies between numerical and experimental results are discussed. The obtained results from the various simulations carried out here can be used as a practical reference guideline for choosing parameters in VAWTs simulations using the ALM., Wind Energy

In this paper, the actuator-in-actuator cylinder (AC-squared) model is presented. This model is an extension of the original actuator cylinder model of Madsen and is capable of modelling the effect of a two concentric actuation surfaces in 2D. The induced velocity at every point in the 2D field is affected by the force field acting on the two actuator cylinders. The equations are derived, and a model verification is performed using analytical solutions of flows, proof of flow equivalence, and using OpenFOAM calculations. Finally, the model is applied to different case studies, and the results are compared with a time-dependent free wake vortex method., Wind Energy

A modified free-wake vortex ring model is proposed to compute the dynamics of a floating horizontal-axis wind turbine, which is divided into two parts. The near wake model uses a blade bound vortex model and trailed vortex model, which is developed based on vortex filament method with straight lifting lines assumption. By contrast, the far wake model is based on the vortex ring method. The proposed model is a good compromise between accuracy and computational cost, for example when compared with more complex vortex methods. The present model is used to assess the influence of floating platform motions on the performance of a horizontal-axis wind turbine rotor. The results are validated on the 5 MW NREL rotor and compared with other aerodynamic models for the same rotor subjected to different platform motions. The results show that the proposed method is reliable. In addition, the proposed method is less time consuming and has similar accuracy when comparing with more advanced vortex based methods., Wind Energy

A modified free-wake vortex ring model is proposed to compute the dynamics of a floating horizontal-axis wind turbine, which is divided into two parts. The near wake model uses a blade bound vortex model and trailed vortex model, which is developed based on vortex filament method with straight lifting lines assumption. By contrast, the far wake model is based on the vortex ring method. The proposed model is a good compromise between accuracy and computational cost, for example when compared with more complex vortex methods. The present model is used to assess the influence of floating platform motions on the performance of a horizontal-axis wind turbine rotor. The results are validated on the 5 MW NREL rotor and compared with other aerodynamic models for the same rotor subjected to different platform motions. The results show that the proposed method is reliable. In addition, the proposed method is less time consuming and has similar accuracy when comparing with more advanced vortex based methods., Wind Energy

This paper investigates the need for dynamic inflow models for vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs). The approach is two-fold. First, dynamic inflow is realised by dynamic thrust on an actuator disk in OpenFOAM. The induction phase shift and amplitude showed a significant dependency on the streamwise location. Second, a reference turbine in surging motion is studied using an actuator line OpenFOAM model as reference and an actuator cylinder model (with and without dynamic inflow model). The Larsen and Madsen dynamic inflow model is able to capture the overall behaviour in dynamic inflow conditions, however, it may be improved in the most upwind and downwind location. This study indicates that the modelling of VAWTs in dynamic inflow conditions may be enhanced by improving the dynamic inflow models., OLD SnC Culture, Wind Energy

Two new engineering models are presented for the aerodynamic induction of a wind turbine under dynamic thrust. The models are developed using the differential form of Duhamel integrals of indicial responses of actuator disc type vortex models. The time constants of the indicial functions are obtained by the indicial responses of a linear and a nonlinear actuator disc model. The new dynamic-inflow engineering models are verified against the results of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model and compared against the dynamic-inflow engineering models of Pitt-Peters, Øye, and Energy Research Center of the Netherlands (ECN), for several load cases. Comparisons of all models show that two time constants are necessary to predict the dynamic induction. The amplitude and phase delay of the velocity distribution shows a strong radial dependency. Verifying the models against results from the CFD model shows that the model based on the linear actuator disc vortex model predicts a similar performance as the Øye model. The model based on the nonlinear actuator disc vortex model predicts the dynamic induction better than the other models concerning both phase delay and amplitude, especially at high load., Wind Energy

Spectral analysis was performed on the time series data computed from pressure measurements on the New MEXICO (Model Rotor Experiments under Controlled Conditions) rotor in standstill conditions. As a priori, 3D airfoil polars were recreated from standstill measurements and compared against 2D airfoil polars and flat plate theory results to verify the measurements. The spectral analysis revealed the presence of dominant shedding frequencies for certain ranges of the geometric angle of attack. Two dominant shedding modes were identified: One was associated with bluff body vortex shedding, and the other was associated with low Strouhal number shedding. No dominant shedding frequencies were observed for angles of attack beyond 50°. The research improves on our current understanding of the unsteady nature of the stall regime, along with providing insight into the existence of vortex-induced vibrations on a wind turbine in standstill conditions., Wind Energy

In this paper, the actuator-in-actuator cylinder (AC-squared) model is presented. This model is an extension of the original actuator cylinder model of Madsen and is capable of modelling the effect of a two concentric actuation surfaces in 2D. The induced velocity at every point in the 2D field is affected by the force field acting on the two actuator cylinders. The equations are derived, and a model verification is performed using analytical solutions of flows, proof of flow equivalence, and using OpenFOAM calculations. Finally, the model is applied to different case studies, and the results are compared with a time-dependent free wake vortex method., Wind Energy

In the present work, the near-wake generated for a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) was simulated using an actuator line model (ALM) in order to validate and evaluate its accuracy. The sensitivity of the model to the variation of the spatial and temporal discretization was studied and showed a bigger response to the variation in the mesh size as compared with the temporal discretization. The large eddy simulation (LES) approach was used to predict the turbulence effects. The performance of Smagorinsky, dynamic k-equation, and dynamic Lagrangian turbulence models was tested, showing very little relevant differences between them. Generally, predicted results agree well with experimental data for velocity and vorticity fields in representative sections. The presented ALM was able to characterize the main phenomena involved in the flow pattern using a relatively low computational cost without stability concerns, identified the general wake structure (qualitatively and quantitatively), and the contribution from the blade tips and motion on it. Additionally, the effects of the tower and struts were investigated with respect to the overall structure of the wake, showing no significant modification. Similarities and discrepancies between numerical and experimental results are discussed. The obtained results from the various simulations carried out here can be used as a practical reference guideline for choosing parameters in VAWTs simulations using the ALM., Wind Energy

To advance the design of a multimegawatt vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT), application-specific airfoils need to be developed. In this research, airfoils are tailored for a VAWT with variable pitch. A genetic algorithm is used to optimise the airfoil shape considering a balance between the aerodynamic and structural performance of airfoils. At rotor scale, the aerodynamic objective aims to create the required optimal loading while minimising losses. The structural objective focusses on maximising the bending stiffness. Three airfoils from the Pareto front are selected and analysed using the actuator cylinder model and a prescribed-wake vortex code. The optimal pitch schedule is determined, and the loadings and power performance are studied for different tip-speed ratios and solidities. The comparison of the optimised airfoils with similar airfoils from the first generation shows a significant improvement in performance, and this proves the necessity to properly select the airfoil shape., Wind Energy

This paper presents final results from the EU project AVATAR in which aerodynamic models are improved and validated for wind turbines on a scale of 10 MW and more. Special attention is paid to the improvement of low fidelity engineering (BEM based) models with higher fidelity (CFD) models but also with intermediate fidelity free vortex wake (FVW) models. The latter methods were found to be a good basis for improvement of induction modelling in engineering methods amongst others for the prediction of yawed cases, which in AVATAR was found to be one of the most challenging subjects to model. FVW methods also helped to improve the prediction of tip losses. Aero-elastic calculations with BEM based and FVW based models showed that fatigue loads for normal production cases were over predicted with approximately 15% or even more. It should then be realised that the outcome of BEM based models does not only depend on the choice of engineering add-ons (as is often assumed) but it is also heavily dependent on the way the induced velocities are solved. To this end an annulus and element approach are discussed which are assessed with the aid of FVW methods. For the prediction of fatigue loads the so-called element approach is recommended but the derived yaw models rely on an annulus approach which pleads for a generalised solution method for the induced velocities., Wind Energy

Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) in double-rotor configuration, meaning two rotors in close proximity, have the ability to enhance the power performance. In this study, we work towards the understanding of vertical-axis wind turbines in double-rotor configuration. Numerical simulations are performed to gain insight in the physics behind the double-rotor concept. Furthermore, a parametric study is performed to explore the effect of the double-rotor lay-out, rotor loading, rotor spacing and wind direction on the flow characteristics and the power generation., Wind Energy

Large floating offshore wind turbines are beginning to show promise as a technology with several pilot projects being completed in recent years with more on the near horizon. Due to the complexities of the floating configuration there are substantial costs associated with the platform and mooring systems for these types of deep water machines. The vertical axis wind turbine has been proposed as a potential solution for lowering the overall costs of turbine installations. This is achieved through a lower center of gravity and a greater tolerance to platform motions than an equivalent horizontal axis machine. The cost of the platform system is related to the overturn moment of the turbine in crucial operational states. The largest contribution to this moment is the rotor thrust. In this work, an experimental wind tunnel model has been made to study the loading of a 2-bladed H-type VAWT. The model is capable of individual active pitch control and is equipped with sensors to measure thrust and side loading with respect to the turbine. This paper introduces the experimental wind tunnel model referred to as PitchVAWT, discusses the method of determining rotor thrust and side loads, and presents measured results for a fixed pitch case with varying tip speed ratio. The data presented will be made available for further evaluation and potential validation of turbine numerical codes., Wind Energy

As part of the AVATAR and Mexnext projects, this study compares several methods used to derive lifting line variables from CFD simulations of the MEXICO rotor in yawed inflow. The results from six partners within the AVATAR/Mexnext consortium using five different methods of extraction were compared. Overall comparison of the induced velocities at the mid and tip parts of blade shows fairly good agreement between the tested methods, where the derived angle of attack differs within 1°, within the linear range this accounts to 10% uncertainty on the aerodynamic forces. The presented comparison shows inadequate agreement between the methods for application towards the root., Wind Energy

A semi-submersible Tri-Floater has been designed to support a 6 MW vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) with active blade pitch control. Due to the low centre of gravity and large allowable floater tilt angle, a relatively small floater can be used to support a VAWT. Coupled simulations including hydrodynamics, mooring system, aerodynamics and control system have been performed to analyse the strongly coupled dynamics of floater and wind turbine. Software tools have been developed or upgraded to enable these simulations. Based on typical extreme operational and survival design load cases, it is illustrated that the active blade pitch control system can be successfully used to minimize the governing loads on the floater. Whereas for a VAWT with fixed blades, the parked survival conditions are typically design driving for the floating support structure, this is not the case if blade pitch control is applied. It is concluded that, compared to a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) with the same rated power, a 20 percent lighter floater can be used as support structure for the VAWT with active blade pitch control., Wind Energy

Due to advances in numerical modeling and hardware scaling, aspects of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) can now be studied in greater detail than ever before. Turbine blade pitch has been proposed as a method to control overall turbine loading. A 1.5 meter diameter, 1.5 meter height 2 bladed H-Darrieus VAWT with individual blade pitch control has been designed, built, and tested at the wind tunnel facilities of Delft University of Technology. A computational model of the turbine has been made using an actuator cylinder formulation for multiple tip speed ratios and pitch offset values. The design of this turbine and initial data is presented. A comparison is made between measured normal force loading on the blades and the models predicted performance for multiple blade pitch scenarios., Wind Energy

To assess and optimize vortex generators (VGs) for flow separation control, the effect of these devices should be modelled in a cost and time efficient way. Therefore, it is of interest to extend integral boundary layer models to analyse the effect of VGs on airfoil performance. In this work, the turbulent boundary layer formulation is modified using a source term approach. An additional term is added to the shear-lag equation, to account for the increased dissipation due to streamwise vortex action in the boundary layer, forcing transition at the VG leading edge where applicable. The source term is calibrated and a semi-empirical relation is set up and implemented in XFOIL. The modified code is capable of addressing the effect of the VG height, length, inflow angle, and chordwise position on the airfoil's aerodynamic properties. The predicted polars for airfoils with VGs show a good agreement with reference data, and the code robustness is demonstrated by assessing different airfoil families at a wide range of Reynolds numbers., Wind Energy

Passive vane-type vortex generators (VGs) are commonly used on wind turbine blades to mitigate the effects of flow separation. However, significant uncertainty surrounds VG design guidelines. Understanding the influence of VG parameters on airfoil performance requires a systematic approach targeting wind energy-specific airfoils. Thus, the 30%-thick DU97-W-300 airfoil was equipped with numerous VG designs, and its performance was evaluated in the Delft University Low Turbulence Wind Tunnel at a chord-based Reynolds number of 2×106. Oil-flow visualizations confirmed the suppression of separation as a result of the vortex-induced mixing. Further investigation of the oil streaks demonstrated a method to determine the vortex strength. The airfoil performance sensitivity to 41 different VG designs was explored by analysing model and wake pressures. The chordwise positioning, array configuration, and vane height were of prime importance. The sensitivity to vane length, inclination angle, vane shape, and array packing density proved secondary. The VGs were also able to delay stall with simulated airfoil surface roughness. The use of the VG mounting strip was detrimental to the airfoil's performance, highlighting the aerodynamic cost of the commonly used mounting technique. Time-averaged pressure distributions and the lift standard deviation revealed that the presence of VGs increases load fluctuations in the stalling regime, compared with the uncontrolled case., Wind Energy

Passive vane-type vortex generators (VGs) are commonly used on wind turbine blades to mitigate the effects of flow separation. However, significant uncertainty surrounds VG design guidelines. Understanding the influence of VG parameters on airfoil performance requires a systematic approach targeting wind energy-specific airfoils. Thus, the 30%-thick DU97-W-300 airfoil was equipped with numerous VG designs, and its performance was evaluated in the Delft University Low Turbulence Wind Tunnel at a chord-based Reynolds number of 2×106. Oil-flow visualizations confirmed the suppression of separation as a result of the vortex-induced mixing. Further investigation of the oil streaks demonstrated a method to determine the vortex strength. The airfoil performance sensitivity to 41 different VG designs was explored by analysing model and wake pressures. The chordwise positioning, array configuration, and vane height were of prime importance. The sensitivity to vane length, inclination angle, vane shape, and array packing density proved secondary. The VGs were also able to delay stall with simulated airfoil surface roughness. The use of the VG mounting strip was detrimental to the airfoil's performance, highlighting the aerodynamic cost of the commonly used mounting technique. Time-averaged pressure distributions and the lift standard deviation revealed that the presence of VGs increases load fluctuations in the stalling regime, compared with the uncontrolled case., Wind Energy

Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) in double-rotor configuration, meaning two rotors in close proximity, have the ability to enhance the power performance. In this study, we work towards the understanding of vertical-axis wind turbines in double-rotor configuration. Numerical simulations are performed to gain insight in the physics behind the double-rotor concept. Furthermore, a parametric study is performed to explore the effect of the double-rotor lay-out, rotor loading, rotor spacing and wind direction on the flow characteristics and the power generation., Wind Energy

Large floating offshore wind turbines are beginning to show promise as a technology with several pilot projects being completed in recent years with more on the near horizon. Due to the complexities of the floating configuration there are substantial costs associated with the platform and mooring systems for these types of deep water machines. The vertical axis wind turbine has been proposed as a potential solution for lowering the overall costs of turbine installations. This is achieved through a lower center of gravity and a greater tolerance to platform motions than an equivalent horizontal axis machine. The cost of the platform system is related to the overturn moment of the turbine in crucial operational states. The largest contribution to this moment is the rotor thrust. In this work, an experimental wind tunnel model has been made to study the loading of a 2-bladed H-type VAWT. The model is capable of individual active pitch control and is equipped with sensors to measure thrust and side loading with respect to the turbine. This paper introduces the experimental wind tunnel model referred to as PitchVAWT, discusses the method of determining rotor thrust and side loads, and presents measured results for a fixed pitch case with varying tip speed ratio. The data presented will be made available for further evaluation and potential validation of turbine numerical codes., Wind Energy

Due to advances in numerical modeling and hardware scaling, aspects of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) can now be studied in greater detail than ever before. Turbine blade pitch has been proposed as a method to control overall turbine loading. A 1.5 meter diameter, 1.5 meter height 2 bladed H-Darrieus VAWT with individual blade pitch control has been designed, built, and tested at the wind tunnel facilities of Delft University of Technology. A computational model of the turbine has been made using an actuator cylinder formulation for multiple tip speed ratios and pitch offset values. The design of this turbine and initial data is presented. A comparison is made between measured normal force loading on the blades and the models predicted performance for multiple blade pitch scenarios., Wind Energy

To assess and optimize vortex generators (VGs) for flow separation control, the effect of these devices should be modelled in a cost and time efficient way. Therefore, it is of interest to extend integral boundary layer models to analyse the effect of VGs on airfoil performance. In this work, the turbulent boundary layer formulation is modified using a source term approach. An additional term is added to the shear-lag equation, to account for the increased dissipation due to streamwise vortex action in the boundary layer, forcing transition at the VG leading edge where applicable. The source term is calibrated and a semi-empirical relation is set up and implemented in XFOIL. The modified code is capable of addressing the effect of the VG height, length, inflow angle, and chordwise position on the airfoil's aerodynamic properties. The predicted polars for airfoils with VGs show a good agreement with reference data, and the code robustness is demonstrated by assessing different airfoil families at a wide range of Reynolds numbers., Wind Energy

A semi-submersible Tri-Floater has been designed to support a 6 MW vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) with active blade pitch control. Due to the low centre of gravity and large allowable floater tilt angle, a relatively small floater can be used to support a VAWT. Coupled simulations including hydrodynamics, mooring system, aerodynamics and control system have been performed to analyse the strongly coupled dynamics of floater and wind turbine. Software tools have been developed or upgraded to enable these simulations. Based on typical extreme operational and survival design load cases, it is illustrated that the active blade pitch control system can be successfully used to minimize the governing loads on the floater. Whereas for a VAWT with fixed blades, the parked survival conditions are typically design driving for the floating support structure, this is not the case if blade pitch control is applied. It is concluded that, compared to a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) with the same rated power, a 20 percent lighter floater can be used as support structure for the VAWT with active blade pitch control., Wind Energy

This paper presents final results from the EU project AVATAR in which aerodynamic models are improved and validated for wind turbines on a scale of 10 MW and more. Special attention is paid to the improvement of low fidelity engineering (BEM based) models with higher fidelity (CFD) models but also with intermediate fidelity free vortex wake (FVW) models. The latter methods were found to be a good basis for improvement of induction modelling in engineering methods amongst others for the prediction of yawed cases, which in AVATAR was found to be one of the most challenging subjects to model. FVW methods also helped to improve the prediction of tip losses. Aero-elastic calculations with BEM based and FVW based models showed that fatigue loads for normal production cases were over predicted with approximately 15% or even more. It should then be realised that the outcome of BEM based models does not only depend on the choice of engineering add-ons (as is often assumed) but it is also heavily dependent on the way the induced velocities are solved. To this end an annulus and element approach are discussed which are assessed with the aid of FVW methods. For the prediction of fatigue loads the so-called element approach is recommended but the derived yaw models rely on an annulus approach which pleads for a generalised solution method for the induced velocities., Wind Energy

As part of the AVATAR and Mexnext projects, this study compares several methods used to derive lifting line variables from CFD simulations of the MEXICO rotor in yawed inflow. The results from six partners within the AVATAR/Mexnext consortium using five different methods of extraction were compared. Overall comparison of the induced velocities at the mid and tip parts of blade shows fairly good agreement between the tested methods, where the derived angle of attack differs within 1°, within the linear range this accounts to 10% uncertainty on the aerodynamic forces. The presented comparison shows inadequate agreement between the methods for application towards the root., Wind Energy

A 3D stall-cell flow-field has been studied in a 4.8 aspect-ratio wing obtained by linear extrusion of a laminar NACA64-418 airfoil profile. The span-wise change in the velocity and pressure distribution along the wing has been quantified with respect to the development of cellular structures from 8◦ to 20◦ angle of attack. Oil-flow visualizations help localizing the regular cellular pattern in function of the angle of attack. Multi-plane stereoscopic PIV measurements obtained by traversing the entire setup along the wing span show that the flow separation is not spanwise uniform. The combination of different stereoscopic fields into a 3D volume of velocity data allows studying the global effect of the stall-cell pattern on the wing flow. Integration of the experimentally computed pressure gradient from the Navier–Stokes equation is employed to compute the span-wise distribution of the mean surface pressure. Comparison of the results with the ones obtained from pressure taps installed in the wing evidences a span-wise periodic loading on the wing. The periodic loading has maxima confined in the stream-wise direction between the location of the highest airfoil curvature and the one of the airfoil flow separation. Estimation of the periodic loading is found within 2–6 % of the sectional wing lift., Wind Energy

The Blade Element Momentum model, which is based on the actuator disc theory, is still the model most used for the design of open rotors. Although derived from steady cases with a fully developed wake, this approach is also applied to unsteady cases, with additional engineering corrections. This work aims to study the impact of an unsteady loading on the wake of an actuator disc. The load and flow of an actuator disc are measured in the Open Jet Facility wind tunnel of Delft University of Technology, for steady and unsteady cases. The velocity and turbulence profiles are characterized in three regions: the inner wake region, the shear layer region and the region outside the wake. For unsteady load cases, the measured velocity field shows a hysteresis effect in relation to the loading, showing differences between the cases when loading is increased and loading is decreased. The flow field also shows a transient response to the step change in loading, with either an overshoot or undershoot of the velocity in relation to the steady-state velocity. In general, a smaller reduced ramp time results in a faster velocity transient, and in turn a larger amplitude of overshoot or undershoot. Time constants analysis shows that the flow reaches the new steady-state slower for load increase than for load decrease; the time constants outside the wake are generally larger than at other radial locations for a given downstream plane; the time constants of measured velocity in the wake show radial dependence.The data are relevant for the validation of numerical models for unsteady actuator discs and wind turbines, and are made available in an open source database (see Appendix)., Wind Energy

This paper presents a comparison of two state-of-the-art codes that are capable of modelling floating vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) in fully coupled time-domain simulations, being the HAWC2 by DTU and the SIMO-RIFLEX-AC code by NTNU/MARINTEK. The comparative study focusses on the way aerodynamics, hydrodynamics and structural dynamics are treated for DeepWind’s 5MW Darrieus rotor mounted on a modified OC3 spar platform. The relevant modelling differences are described, followed by an introduction to the spar VAWT concept and selected load cases. Isolation of the aerodynamic model is achieved using an equivalent rigid land-based VAWT in steady wind-only environments. The added complexity in SIMO-RIFLEX-AC’s aerodynamic model has shown to increase aerodynamic torque at tip-speed ratios above 2.5. Differences in the hydrodynamic and structural models were brought forward through fully coupled analyses in turbulent wind and irregular wave climates. It is found that the simplified mooring system in HAWC2 introduces a 2P yaw response (1P in SIMO-RIFLEX-AC), stronger motion coupling in surge-heave and a largely reduced mooring line tension since the dynamics of mooring lines are not considered. Indications are given that a higher tower mode is excited by 4P aerodynamic loading; an effect that is significantly stronger in HAWC2., Wind Energy

Research into the Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) has been progressing over the last few years due to the large shift in design constraints for large floating offshore wind turbines by leveraging tools and experience from research beginning in the 1970s and lasting until the HAWT established market dominance in the 1990s. The beginning studies looking into the feasibility of large VAWT turbines on offshore floating platforms have been largely positive and suggest a large cost savings when comparing to equivalent HAWT turbines. These savings assume certain platform cost reductions as well as ease of operations and maintenance due to the possibility of systems being removed, like the active yaw system, and ease of access to significant components such as the gearbox and generator. In order to realize these cost gains, and perhaps identify more, it is necessary to improve the aerodynamic control of the rotor., Wind Energy

A PhD project is being carried out on the topic of far-wake aerodynamics of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) in yawed conditions, which has a large relevance for wind farm design and optimization. Characteristic for a turbine in yaw are the inherent unsteady and non-uniform rotor loading, and the typical wake deflection and strong three-dimensional deformation effects under influence of self-induction (see figure 1). Investigation of HAWTs in yaw is important, as the larce-scale eddies of the turbulent atmosphere dictate that a wind turbine is in practise always operating in unsteady yaw, while the resulting wake effects are already significant for small yaw angles. Despite this relevance, research into the far-wake of yawed wind turbines has been very limited and the symmetry assumptions on which common wake engineering models are based conflict with the physics of the skewed wake of a yawed turbine. Nevertheless, there is an increasing interest into this topic, as it is recognized that the effect of wake deflection can be exploited as a way to optimize the overall wind farm power production through active yaw control. For this purpose, simple two-dimensional models are applied for approximating the wake deflection, but which are unable to capture the typical three-dimensional deformation effects. In summary, there is a large gap of fundamental knowledge on wake physics in yawed conditions, and what the relevance of these phenomena is on the development and issues like the re-energization process of the far-wake. To bridge this gap, the PhD project aims at improving our understanding of the wake physics of HAWTs in yaw and to draft guidelines for reduced-order models that can be applied for wind farm design and optimization. In support of this aim, the objective is to analyze the different physical “modes” that play a role in the yawed wake, through a numerial and experimental investigation of the skewed wakes aft of HAWTs and actuator discs. The results from, Wind Energy, Aerodynamics

This paper presents a comparison of two state-of-the-art codes that are capable of modelling floating vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) in fully coupled time-domain simulations, being the HAWC2 by DTU and the SIMO-RIFLEX-AC code by NTNU/MARINTEK. The comparative study focusses on the way aerodynamics, hydrodynamics and structural dynamics are treated for DeepWind’s 5MW Darrieus rotor mounted on a modified OC3 spar platform. The relevant modelling differences are described, followed by an introduction to the spar VAWT concept and selected load cases. Isolation of the aerodynamic model is achieved using an equivalent rigid land-based VAWT in steady wind-only environments. The added complexity in SIMO-RIFLEX-AC’s aerodynamic model has shown to increase aerodynamic torque at tip-speed ratios above 2.5. Differences in the hydrodynamic and structural models were brought forward through fully coupled analyses in turbulent wind and irregular wave climates. It is found that the simplified mooring system in HAWC2 introduces a 2P yaw response (1P in SIMO-RIFLEX-AC), stronger motion coupling in surge-heave and a largely reduced mooring line tension since the dynamics of mooring lines are not considered. Indications are given that a higher tower mode is excited by 4P aerodynamic loading; an effect that is significantly stronger in HAWC2., Wind Energy

The Blade Element Momentum model, which is based on the actuator disc theory, is still the model most used for the design of open rotors. Although derived from steady cases with a fully developed wake, this approach is also applied to unsteady cases, with additional engineering corrections. This work aims to study the impact of an unsteady loading on the wake of an actuator disc. The load and flow of an actuator disc are measured in the Open Jet Facility wind tunnel of Delft University of Technology, for steady and unsteady cases. The velocity and turbulence profiles are characterized in three regions: the inner wake region, the shear layer region and the region outside the wake. For unsteady load cases, the measured velocity field shows a hysteresis effect in relation to the loading, showing differences between the cases when loading is increased and loading is decreased. The flow field also shows a transient response to the step change in loading, with either an overshoot or undershoot of the velocity in relation to the steady-state velocity. In general, a smaller reduced ramp time results in a faster velocity transient, and in turn a larger amplitude of overshoot or undershoot. Time constants analysis shows that the flow reaches the new steady-state slower for load increase than for load decrease; the time constants outside the wake are generally larger than at other radial locations for a given downstream plane; the time constants of measured velocity in the wake show radial dependence.The data are relevant for the validation of numerical models for unsteady actuator discs and wind turbines, and are made available in an open source database (see Appendix)., Wind Energy

This paper presents the most recent results from the EU project AVATAR in which aerodynamic models are improved and validated for wind turbines on a scale of 10 MW and more. Measurements on a DU 00-W-212 airfoil are presented which have been taken in the pressurized DNW-HDG wind tunnel up to a Reynolds number of 15 Million. These measurements are compared with measurements in the LM wind tunnel for Reynolds numbers of 3 and 6 Million and with calculational results. In the analysis of results special attention is paid to high Reynolds numbers effects. CFD calculations on airfoil performance showed an unexpected large scatter which eventually was reduced by paying even more attention to grid independency and domain size in relation to grid topology. Moreover calculations are presented on flow devices (leading and trailing edge flaps and vortex generators). Finally results are shown between results from 3D rotor models where a comparison is made between results from vortex wake methods and BEM methods at yawed conditions., Wind Energy