Performance of Crossflow Wind Turbines in In-line Configuration and Opposite Rotation Direction

Abstract

Wind energy sources must be investigated to produce electrical energy from a renewable source. Crossflow wind turbines are suitable for use because they have several advantages such as self-starting ability, low noise, and excellent stability. They have the potential to be applied as small wind turbines in urban districts because of their small maximum coefficient of power (Cp), which is 10% of that of other small wind turbines. To enhance the performance of crossflow wind turbines, we changed the turbine to rotate in the opposite direction in the in-line configuration. Turbine performance testing was tested using a wind tunnel. The characteristics of crossflow wind turbines were investigated, then turbine performance was analyzed and discussed. The maximum power coefficient obtained was 0.169 (Cp) with the configuration of 12 turbine blades at a wind speed of 10 m/s. The maximum torque coefficient obtained was 0.703. The overall results show that the crossflow wind turbine in in-line configuration with opposite rotation can improve the performance of wind turbines.