Publication

Optimal blade pitch control for enhanced vertical-axis wind turbine performance

2023
Journal Articles

Abstract

Vertical-axis wind turbines are great candidates to enable wind power extraction in urban and off-shore applications. Currently, concerns around turbine efficiency and structural integrity limit their industrial deployment. Flow control can mitigate these concerns. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the potential of individual blade pitching as a control strategy and explain the flow physics that yields the performance enhancement. We perform automated experiments using a scaled-down turbine model coupled to a genetic algorithm optimiser to identify optimal pitching kinematics at on- and off-design operating conditions. Optimal blade kinematics yields a three-fold power coefficient increase at both operating conditions compared to the non-actuated turbine and a 70% reduction in structure-threatening load fluctuations at off-design conditions. Based on flow field measurements, we uncover how blade pitching manipulates the flow structures to enhance performance. Our results can aid vertical-axis wind turbines to increase their much-needed contribution to our energy needs.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/93cdfed0-3c87-4554-8083-97706a15c92f

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2023
Journal Articles

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/93cdfed0-3c87-4554-8083-97706a15c92f

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Wind turbine design

Wind turbine design is the process of defining the form and configuration of a wind turbine to extract energy from the wind. An installation consists of the systems needed to capture the wind's energy, point the turbine into the wind, convert mechanical rotation into electrical power, and other systems to start, stop, and control the turbine. In 1919, German physicist Albert Betz showed that for a hypothetical ideal wind-energy extraction machine, the fundamental laws of conservation of mass and energy allowed no more than 16/27 (59.

Wind turbine

A wind turbine is a device that converts the kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy. , hundreds of thousands of large turbines, in installations known as wind farms, were generating over 650 gigawatts of power, with 60 GW added each year. Wind turbines are an increasingly important source of intermittent renewable energy, and are used in many countries to lower energy costs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Vertical-axis wind turbine

A vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) is a type of wind turbine where the main rotor shaft is set transverse to the wind while the main components are located at the base of the turbine. This arrangement allows the generator and gearbox to be located close to the ground, facilitating service and repair. VAWTs do not need to be pointed into the wind, which removes the need for wind-sensing and orientation mechanisms. Major drawbacks for the early designs (Savonius, Darrieus and giromill) included the significant torque ripple during each revolution, and the large bending moments on the blades.

Related publications (22)

Optimal blade pitch control for enhanced vertical-axis wind turbine performance

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