Catchment Based Aerodynamic Performance Analysis of Small Wind Turbine Using a Single Blade Concept for a Low Cost of Energy

Hailay Kiros Kelele,Torbjørn Kirstian Nielsen,Lars Froyd,Mulu Bayray Kahsay

doi:10.3390/en13215838

Hailay Kiros Kelele, Torbjørn Kirstian Nielsen + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en13215838

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Abstract

For low and medium wind conditions, there is a possibility to harness maximum wind potential reducing the cost of energy by employing catchment-based wind turbine designs. This paper aims to study catchment-based small wind turbine aerodynamic performance for improved efficiency and reduced cost of energy. Hence, design parameters are considered based on specific conditions within a catchment area. The bins and statistical methods implemented with Weibull distribution of wind data for selected sites to characterize the wind conditions and a weighted average method proposed to create representative wind conditions implementing a single blade concept. The blade element method was applied using Matlab code (version R2017a, MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA, US) for aerodynamic design and analysis, and computational fluid dynamics employed using ANSYS—Fluent (version 18.1, ANSYS Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA) for validation. The performance of the designed blade is evaluated based on annual energy production, capacity factor and power coefficient. Then, for site-specific wind conditions, yearly energy production, and relative cost of energy are examined against rated power. Appropriate rated power for a low cost of energy identified and performance measures evaluated for each site. As a result, a maximum power coefficient of around 51.8% achieved at a design wind speed of 10 m/s, and higher capacity factors of 28% and 50.9% respectively attained for the low and high wind conditions at the proposed rated powers. Therefore, for different wind condition sites, enhanced performance at a low cost of energy could be achieved using a single blade concept at properly selected rated powers employing suitable design conditions and procedures.

Highlights

With a growing installation of high wind speed turbines globally, low and medium wind speed turbines are getting more attention [1]
Fuglsang et al showed the potential for a site-specific design that design loads and annual energy production depend on-site with considerably large maximum variations comparing two typical wind turbines at representative wind conditions
The study showed that site-specific turbines generated a smaller cost of energy than a fixed design turbine in every wind climate and appeared to offer great benefits for low-wind-speed sites

Summary

Introduction

With a growing installation of high wind speed turbines globally, low and medium wind speed turbines are getting more attention [1]. For low and medium wind speed conditions, specific wind turbines shall be designed to utilize the maximum possible wind potential of the site, to reduce loading and costs of energy [2]. Fuglsang et al showed the potential for a site-specific design that design loads and annual energy production depend on-site with considerably large maximum variations comparing two typical wind turbines at representative wind conditions. The study showed that site-specific turbines generated a smaller cost of energy than a fixed design turbine in every wind climate and appeared to offer great benefits for low-wind-speed sites. Energies 2020, 13, 5838 recommends designing particular wind turbines for low wind speed situations [2]. The cost of energy could be minimized for onshore and offshore conditions, using a site-specific single wind turbine concept [4]

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