A Magnus Wind Turbine Mathematical Model

Abstract

Wind power units using the Magnus effect are an alternative to conventional blade units in regions having a too low or a high wind potential. A feature of their design is the use of rotating cylinders for producing torque on the wind wheel shaft. The aim of the study was to develop a mathematical model of such unit. Three models of the wind energy utilization coefficient were considered: analytical, regression and correlation. The models were subjected to an analysis, based on which conclusions about their applicability limits were drawn, and their main advantages and disadvantages were highlighted. An alternative simulation aerodynamic model was synthesized using the computational aerodynamics method. The developed model was verified by comparing the unit power output estimated by the simulation model with experimental data obtained on a real unit in the course of field tests. The study results have shown that the developed model based on computational aerodynamics features high accuracy and can be used to simulate a wind power unit based on the Magnus effect under variable wind conditions. In the future, the presented model can be used in the development of algorithms for detecting the maximum power point for this type of wind power units.