Conceptual design of a large-scale floating offshore vertical axis wind turbine. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hand, Brian; Cashman, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Energy procedia. Volume 142(2017)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 88
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Vertical axis wind turbine -- offshore -- aerodynamic design -- blade -- strut; Power resources -- Congresses; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power resources; Conference proceedings; Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2017.12.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1876-6102

Abstract

Abstract: Large-scale floating vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are an attractive and economical solution to harness superior offshore wind resources in deep water locations. This paper presents the conceptual design of a VAWT for this application using a developed aerodynamic modelling strategy. A comprehensive examination of several critical VAWT design parameters was undertaken which included the turbine solidity, blade number, blade aspect ratio and non-prismatic strut design. This study identified a low solidity turbine (σ = 0.263) gave the best aerodynamic performance, while a two-bladed VAWT design is recommended. The results also indicated a blade aspect ratio in the range 10 ≥ H/c ≥ 20 gives favorable performance. Finally, the geometrical details and operating specifications for a 5 MW VAWT design are presented.