The present research frontier on wind turbine wake analysis is leading to a massive use of large-eddy simulations to completely solve the flow field surrounding the rotors; on the other hand, there is still room for lower-fidelity models with a more affordable computational cost to be used in extended optimization analyses, e.g. for a park layout definition. In this study, a customized version of the Virtual Blade Model (VBM) for ANSYS® FLUENT® is presented. The model allows a hybrid solution of the flow, in which the surrounding environment is simulated through a conventional RANS approach, while blades are replaced by a body force, calculated by a simplified version of the Blade Element Theory. The potential of the newly-customized VBM was evaluated by applying it to the famous NOWITECH-NORCOWE blind tests for horizontal axis wind turbines. Several test cases were analyzed and discussed including: 1) a single turbine; 2) an array of two turbines with one rotor working in the wake of the other one; 3) an array of two staggered rotors; 4) several configurations of rotors working in yawed-flow. The study proves that the VBM model can represent a valuable tool for the analysis of wind turbines wakes and of their interaction with near rotors.

Potential of the virtual blade model in the analysis of wind turbine wakes using wind tunnel blind tests / Bianchini, Alessandro; Balduzzi, Francesco; Gentiluomo, Domenico; Ferrara, Giovanni; Ferrari, Lorenzo. - In: ENERGY PROCEDIA. - ISSN 1876-6102. - ELETTRONICO. - 126:(2017), pp. 573-580. (Intervento presentato al convegno ATI 2017 - 72nd Conference of the Italian Thermal Machines Engineering Association tenutosi a Lecce) [10.1016/j.egypro.2017.08.212].

Potential of the virtual blade model in the analysis of wind turbine wakes using wind tunnel blind tests

BIANCHINI, ALESSANDRO
;
BALDUZZI, FRANCESCO;GENTILUOMO, DOMENICO;FERRARA, GIOVANNI;
2017

Abstract

The present research frontier on wind turbine wake analysis is leading to a massive use of large-eddy simulations to completely solve the flow field surrounding the rotors; on the other hand, there is still room for lower-fidelity models with a more affordable computational cost to be used in extended optimization analyses, e.g. for a park layout definition. In this study, a customized version of the Virtual Blade Model (VBM) for ANSYS® FLUENT® is presented. The model allows a hybrid solution of the flow, in which the surrounding environment is simulated through a conventional RANS approach, while blades are replaced by a body force, calculated by a simplified version of the Blade Element Theory. The potential of the newly-customized VBM was evaluated by applying it to the famous NOWITECH-NORCOWE blind tests for horizontal axis wind turbines. Several test cases were analyzed and discussed including: 1) a single turbine; 2) an array of two turbines with one rotor working in the wake of the other one; 3) an array of two staggered rotors; 4) several configurations of rotors working in yawed-flow. The study proves that the VBM model can represent a valuable tool for the analysis of wind turbines wakes and of their interaction with near rotors.
2017
ATI 2017 - 72nd Conference of the Italian Thermal Machines Engineering Association
ATI 2017 - 72nd Conference of the Italian Thermal Machines Engineering Association
Lecce
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Goal 13: Climate action
Bianchini, Alessandro; Balduzzi, Francesco; Gentiluomo, Domenico; Ferrara, Giovanni; Ferrari, Lorenzo
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Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/1090931
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