Numerical Analysis of Flow Field in Vertical Wind Turbine at Free- Stream Turbulence Region

Abstract

Air turbulence can affect the aerodynamic performance of wind turbines, and this effect is less on vertical wind turbines compared to horizontal wind turbines. In addition, vertical wind turbines have many advantages, but the literature related to their use to produce power is still small and needs to be developed. In this study, the effect of free-stream turbulence on the aerodynamic performance of Darrieus type vertical wind turbines was studied through two-dimensional numerical simulations. This performance can be observed through the power (P) and turbine power coefficient (Cp). Simulations were carried out at 5% turbulent intensity (Tu) with variations in wind speed (Uoo). The turbulent model used was the standard k-ε (SKE) and k-ω SST (SSTKW). The simulation results of the two turbulent models show the suitability for the power value (P) and the coefficient (Cp) to the experimental results The simulation result error reached 0.57% for CP with the standard k-ε turbulent model; 0.14% for CP with the k-ω SST model; 0.6% for P with the standard k-ε model; and 0.18% for P with the k-ω SST model.