An electric circuit model for Darrieus-type vertical axis wind turbine rotors: The Tchakoua model

Abstract

The complex and unsteady aerodynamics of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) pose significant challenges for simulation tools. Recently, significant research efforts have focused on the development of new methods for analysing and optimising the aerodynamic performance of VAWTs. This paper presents an electric circuit model for Darrieus-type vertical axis wind turbine (DT-VAWT) rotors. The novel Tchakoua model is based on the mechanical description given by the Paraschivoiu double-multiple streamtube model using a mechanical-electrical analogy. Model simulations were conducted using MATLAB for a three-blade NACA0012 aerofoil with an average Reynolds number of 40000 for the blade and a tip speed ratio of 5. The results obtained show strong agreement with findings from both aerodynamic and CFD models in the literature.