A Novel Small Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Using Delta-Wing Blades. Issue 4 (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ji, X. N.; Schlüter, J. U.
• Is Part Of: Wind engineering. Volume 38:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 393
• Page End: 399
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: Wind-pressure -- Periodicals; Winds -- Periodicals; Wind power -- Periodicals; Engineering meteorology -- Periodicals; Pression du vent; Vents; Énergie éolienne; Météorologie appliquée; Engineering meteorology; Wind power; Wind-pressure; Winds; Periodicals; 621.4505
• DOI: 10.1260/0309-524X.38.4.393
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-524X

Abstract

We present a novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) that uses flat delta-wings instead of aerodynamically shaped blades with airfoil cross-sections. This choice lowers the manufacturing costs significantly. Furthermore, delta-wings have a good aerodynamic efficiency at low Reynolds-numbers compared to conventional blades. This is in particular an advantage, if delta-wings are used in small wind turbines. We have performed wind tunnel measurements at low tip-speed ratio and showed that the power output of the delta-wing turbine is higher than that of a conventional straight-bladed VAWT.