Application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation in a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) system

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to describe the application of CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) technology in the matching of turbine blades and generator to increase the efficiency of a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). A VAWT is treated as the study case here. The SST (Shear-Stress Transport) k-ω turbulence model with SIMPLE algorithm method in transient state is applied to solve the T (torque)–N (r/min) curves of the turbine blades at different wind speed. The T–N curves of the generator at different CV (constant voltage) model are measured. Thus, the T–N curves of the turbine blades at different wind speed can be matched by the T–N curves of the generator at different CV model to find the optimal CV model. As the optimal CV mode is selected, the characteristics of the operating points, such as tip speed ratio, revolutions per minute, blade torque, and efficiency, can be identified. The results show that, if the two systems are matched well, the final output power at a high wind speed of 9–10 m/s will be increased by 15%.