Search Results (12)

The energy consumption pattern in the world, and in Indonesia today, is still dominated by fossil energy in oil, gas, and coal. It contradicts the reduced production of fossil energy, especially petroleum. Therefore, the government is trying to increase the role of new and renewable energy. One of the renewable energy sources that can be developed is wind energy. Indonesia has the potential for wind energy of 60.6 GW with an average wind velocity of 3–6 m/s. Given these conditions, it is expected that the installation of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) in buildings in urban areas and remote islands will be able to take advantage of the wind speed flowing above or beside buildings or skyscrapers, where the wind conditions do not have obstacles such as trees, houses, and so on. As a result, analysis and experimentation are required to design a wind turbine with good performance that can be used in cities or remote islands at relatively low wind speeds. The method used in this study is numerical analysis with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with poly-hexacore meshing type, and the geometry sample is an H-Darrieus turbine. The input parameter is wind speed, which ranges from 2.5 to 9 m/s. The final goal of this study is to determine whether the CFD simulation modeling used is credible or valid. Full article

H-Darrieus vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) capture wind regardless of its direction and operate effectively even in challenging and turbulent wind conditions. As a result, the blades operate under erratic and intricate aerodynamic loads, which cause them to bend. The performance of the H-Darrieus rotor will therefore be impacted by the blade’s deflection. This study aims at investigating the dynamic aerostructure influence on a novel convex-bladed H-Darrieus geometry. The results are compared to a straight-bladed baseline rotor. To do so, a two-way fluid–structure interaction (FSI)-coupled approach is performed to accurately address this issue. This approach allows for the simultaneous resolution of the fluid flow around the rotor and the mechanical structure responses inside the blades. The turbulent flows are resolved using the k-ω-SST model together with the URANS equations through computational fluid dynamics (CFD), while the structural deflections of the blades are assessed using finite element analysis (FEA). The results show that the performance of both H-Darrieus turbines decreases with increasing deformation. In addition, the study found that the carbon fiber composite (M1) material has the least deformation in the convex and straight blades, with values of 9.1 mm and 20.331 mm, respectively. The glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy composite (M3) material shows the most significant deflection across both types, with displacements of 32.50 mm and 73.78 mm for the straight blade and 19.02 mm and 43.03 mm for the convex blade. This study also reveals that the straight blade has a peak displacement of 73.785 mm when using the M3 material at TSR = 3, while the convex blade has a minimum displacement of 20.331 mm when using the M1 material, highlighting the varying performance characteristics of the materials. The maximum stress observed occurs in the straight blade, registering at 324.1 MPa with TSR = 3, which aligns closely with the peak displacement values, particularly for the aluminum alloy material (M2). In contrast, the convex blade made from the first material (M1) exhibits the lowest stress levels among the tested configurations. Full article

This paper presents the results of experimental, analytical, and numerical studies on determining the driving torque and power of a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) with planetary blade motion forced by a carousel rotor. First, experimental studies in the wind tunnel laboratory were conducted to determine the tip speed ratio λ for the real-scale wind turbine model under self-starting conditions. Then, an analytical kinematic model of the turbine was developed. Finally, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was conducted to verify the analytical approach and examine aerodynamic interferences between particular turbine blades. The main objective of the study was to verify the accuracy of the simplified analytical approach to calculating the driving torque and turbine power compared to the numerical results based on 2D analysis using computational fluid dynamics. The obtained results showed good agreement considering the modeling of the motion of the three dual-coherent blades of the wind turbine. Comparing the analytical and CFD approaches, the error in determining the average driving torque and the average turbine power was about 1%. An additional objective of the study was to use the developed analytical method to calculate the starting torque and demonstrate the main advantage of the carousel wind rotor, which is its higher starting torque compared to the H-type Darrieus rotor. Full article

This study investigates the aerodynamic performance and flow dynamics of an H-type Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) using combined numerical and experimental methods. The analysis examines the effects of operational parameters, such as rotor solidity and pitch angle, on aerodynamic loads and flow characteristics, using a 2-D URANS simulation with the Transition SST model to capture transient effects. Validation was conducted in a low-turbulence wind tunnel to observe the impact of variable flow conditions. The LineAverage method for determining the angle of attack demonstrated strong correlations between rotor configuration and load variations, particularly highlighting the influence of blade number and pitch angle on aerodynamic efficiency. This research supports optimization strategies for Darrieus VAWTs in urban environments, where turbulent, low-speed conditions challenge conventional wind turbine designs. Full article

Blade pitch angle regulation is an effective approach to enhance the performance of H-type Darrieus Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs). Improving the blade interaction with the wind for this type of rotor is a challenging task, especially in unsteady wind conditions. This paper presents a novel hybrid approach that integrates fixed and variable blade pitch angle regulation techniques, aiming to enhance the wind turbine efficiency across various operational stages and wind speeds. The proposed blade pitch angle regulation method targets a less complicated, mechanically feasible, and cost-effective pitching technique. This study uses the Double Multiple Streamtube (DMST) model to analyze the aerodynamic performance and calculate the power output generated at different pitch angles. MATLAB Simulink was utilized to implement the DMST model, and experimental validation was conducted to confirm the results. The findings indicate that the blade pitch angle regulation has significantly enhanced the self-starting ability of H-type Darrieus VAWT by 80%. Additionally, the maximum rotational speed and power coefficient are achieved at a zero pitch angle. Furthermore, regulating the blade pitch angle allows for the effective control of excessive rotational speeds during high wind conditions. Full article

In this paper, dual-rotor counter-rotating (CR) configurations of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are briefly inspected and divided into three types. This investigation was focused on one of these types—the CR-VAWT with co-axial rotors, in which two equal rotors are placed on the same shaft, displaced from each other along it and rotated in opposite directions. For this CR-VAWT with three-blade H-Darrieus rotors, the properties of the design in terms of aerodynamics, mechanical transmission and electric generator, as well as control system, are analyzed. A new direct-driven dual-rotor permanent magnet synchronous generator was proposed, in which two built-in low-power PM electric machines have been added. They perform two functions—starting-up and overclocking of the rotors to the angular velocity at which the lifting force of the blades is generated, and stabilizing the CR-VAWT work as wind gusts act on the two rotors. Detailed in this paper is the evaluation of the aerodynamic performance of the CR-VAWT via 3D computational fluid dynamics simulations. The evaluation was conducted using the CONVERGE CFD software with the inclusion of the actuator line model for the rotor aerodynamics, which significantly reduces the computational effort. Obtained results show that both rotors, while they rotate in opposite directions, had a positive impact on each other. At the optimal distance between the rotors of 0.3 from a rotor height, the power coefficients of the upper and lower rotors in the CR-VAWT increased, respectively, by 5.5% and 13.3% simultaneously with some increase in their optimal tip-speed ratio compared to the single-rotor VAWT. Full article

This study introduces a Vorticity Index (VI) and an Imminent Vortex Separation Condition (IVSC), which are considered valuable indicators to quantify the vorticity impact on vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) operation. The VI and IVSC are specifically applied to a H-Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). Findings show that these two parameters display a direct relationship with the aerodynamic forces that govern the performance of this type of VAWT. This analysis is accomplished via 2D-CFD simulations of a H-Darrieus with a symmetrical NACA 0018, powered by high winds (8 and 20 m/s), by using a Shear Stress Transport SST k-ω model. The 2D model used is validated for Class II winds (8 m/s), for tip speed ratios (λ) ranging from 0.4 to 0.9. Power coefficients (C_p) predictions are close to those obtained with both 3D simulations and with experimental data, reported in the technical literature. It is found with the numerical simulations developed, that despite the significant increase of the average rotor overall torque values, when the wind speed is augmented from 8 m/s to 20 m/s, the energy extracted by the rotor seems to be moderately lessened by the amplified turbulence and vorticity. Full article

For the past decade, research on vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) has garnered immense interest due to their omnidirectional characteristic, especially the lift-type VAWT. The H-rotor Darrieus VAWT operates based on the lift generated by aerofoil blades and typically possesses higher efficiency than the drag-type Savonius VAWT. However, the open-ended blades generate tip loss effects that reduce the power output. Wingtip devices such as winglets and endplates are commonly used in aerofoil design to increase performance by reducing tip losses. In this study, a CFD simulation is conducted using the sliding mesh method and the k-ω SST turbulence model on a two-bladed NACA0018 VAWT. The aerodynamic performance of a VAWT with offset, symmetric V, asymmetric and triangular endplates are presented and compared against the baseline turbine. The simulation was first validated with the wind tunnel experimental data published in the literature. The simulation showed that the endplates reduced the swirling vortex and improved the pressure distribution along the blade span, especially at the blade tip. The relationship between TSR regimes and the tip loss effect is also reported in the paper. Increasing VAWT performance by using endplates to minimise tip loss is a simple yet effective solution. However, the improvement of the power coefficient is not remarkable as the power degradation only involves a small section of the blades. Full article

The vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) design has several advantages for offshore wind turbine installation. The VAWT provides omnidirectional wind power, and its mechanical rotating mechanisms can be installed near sea level. In this paper, the selection of a suitable composite material for floating H-Darrieus-type wind turbines with three-stage rotors and its properties are discussed. The centrifugal forces acting on the composite blades are compared to the values of these forces evaluated on the aluminum blades. Abaqus software is used for numerical simulations. The selection of appropriate laminations used to model the composite materials is discussed. The optimum combination of selected layers is determined to reduce the values of maximum bending stresses and displacements, resulting in a high strength-to-weight ratio. In the post-processor, a path is taken at the location of the application of the maximum load on the blade and the values of the displacements and stresses along this path are determined. These maximum values are compared to the unidirectional strength of the selected composite material to ensure a safe design. Full article

A few studies have been conducted recently in order to improve the aerodynamic performance of Darrieus vertical-axis wind turbines with straight blades (H-type VAWTs). The blade pitch angle control is proposed to enhance the performance of H-type VAWTs. This paper aims to investigate the performance of an H-type VAWT in terms of its power output and self-starting capability using an intelligent blade pitch control strategy based on a multi-layer perceptron artificial neural network (MLP-ANN) method. The performance of the proposed blade pitch controller is investigated by adding a conventional controller (PID) to the MLP-ANN controller (i.e., a hybrid controller). The dynamics of an H-type VAWT is mathematically modeled in a nonlinear state space for the stability analysis in the sense of Lyapunov. The effectiveness of the proposed pitch control system is validated by building an H-type VAWT prototype model that is extensively tested outdoors under different conditions for both fixed and variable pitch angle configurations. Results demonstrated that the blade-pitching technique enhanced the power output of an H-type VAWT by approximately $22\%$. The hybrid controller that used a high percentage of the MLP-ANN controller achieved a better control performance by reducing the overshoot of the control response at high rotor speeds. Full article

Efforts to increase the power output of wind turbines include Diffuser Augmented Wind Turbines (DAWT) or a shroud for the rotor of a wind turbine. The selected duct has three main components: a nozzle, a diffuser, and a flange. The combined effect of these components results in enriched upstream velocity for the rotor installed in the throat of the duct. To obtain the maximum velocity in the throat of the duct, the optimum angles of the three parts have been analyzed. A code was developed to allow all the numerical steps including changing the geometries, generating the meshes, and setting up the numerical solver simultaneously. Finally, the optimum geometry of the duct has been established that allows a doubling of the flow velocity. The flow characteristics inside the duct have also been analyzed in detail. An H-Darrieus Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) has been simulated inside the optimized duct. The results show that the power coefficient of the DAWT can be enhanced up to 2.9 times. Deep dynamic stall phenomena are captured perfectly. The duct advances the leading-edge vortex generation and delays the vortex separation. Full article

Two novel four-blade H-darrieus vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have been proposed for enhancing self-start capability and power production. The two different airfoil types for the turbines are assessed: a cambered S815 airfoil and a symmetric NACA0018 airfoil. For the first novel wind turbine configuration, the Non-Similar Airfoils 1 (NSA-1), two NACA0018 airfoils, and two S815 airfoils are opposite to each other. For the second novel configuration (NSA-2), each of the S815 airfoils is opposite to one NACA0018 airfoil. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, static and dynamic conditions are evaluated to establish self-starting ability and the power coefficient, respectively. Dynamic stall investigation of each blade of the turbines shows that NACA0018 under dynamic stall impacts the turbine’s performance and the onset of dynamic stall decreases the power coefficient of the turbine significantly. The results show that NSA-2 followed by NSA-1 has good potential to improve the self-starting ability (13.3%) compared to the turbine with symmetric airfoils called HT-NACA0018. In terms of self-starting ability, NSA-2 not only can perform in about 66.67% of 360$°$ similar to the wind turbine with non-symmetric airfoils (named HT-S815) but the power coefficient of NSA-2 at the design tip speed ratio of 2.5 is also 4.5 times more than the power coefficient of HT-S815; the power coefficient difference between HT-NACA0018 and HT-S815 (=0.231) is decreased significantly when HT-S815 is replaced by NSA-2 (=0.076). These novel wind turbines are also simple. Full article