Numerical Investigation of Transition Turbulence Model for Turbine Airfoil at Low Reynolds Number

Abstract

The transition towards a greener energy future has spurred a growing interest in wind energy as a reliable and clean alternative to conventional energy sources. To optimize wind turbine performance, it is crucial to understand the aerodynamics of wind turbines at different Reynolds numbers. In this study, we use the (y-R eθ) transition model to investigate the performance of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) at low Reynolds numbers. Specifically, we employ a NACA0018 airfoil and two-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, along with optimized meshing and solver settings in ANSYS Fluent. We validate our model by simulating wind turbine performance at Reynolds numbers of 500k and 700k and various angles of attack and comparing our results with experimental data from two wind tunnel studies reported in the scientific literature. Our findings show good agreement between the numerical and experimental results, providing useful insights into the behavior of VAWTs at low Reynolds numbers. By conducting the study in 2D, we optimize computational cost and iteration time while still providing valuable data for future 3D modelling efforts. This study contributes to our understanding of wind turbine aerodynamics and could inform the development of more efficient wind turbines for a sustainable energy future.