Experimental validation of the power enhancement of a pair of vertical-axis wind turbines. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vergaerde, Antoine; De Troyer, Tim; Standaert, Lieven; Kluczewska-Bordier, Joanna; Pitance, Denis; Immas, Alexandre; Silvert, Frédéric; Runacres, Mark C.
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 146(2020)
• Page Start: 181
• Page End: 187
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Vertical-axis wind turbine -- Paired wind turbines -- Wind tunnel experiments; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.06.115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: Wind tunnel tests have been performed of individual and paired H-type Darrieus vertical-axis wind turbines. The turbines in the paired configuration are closely spaced, at 1.2 and 1.3 rotor diameters shaft to shaft, and are counter-rotating. Two directions of rotation were studied, one where the facing (inner) blades move along with the incoming flow, and one where the facing blades move against the wind. The wind tunnel tests confirm a net increase in the power coefficient of the paired configuration compared with twice the power coefficient of the individual turbine. We found average relative increases in the power coefficients between 13% and 16%, which is consistent with numerical studies available in the literature. Highlights: Wind tunnel experiments of a pair of closely-spaced VAWTs exhibit a power increase. Power increase depends on inter-turbine distance and direction of rotation. Power increase persists to off-design tip-speed ratios. These experimental findings confirm numerical simulations available in literature.