Validation of the actuator disc approach in PHOENICS using small scale model wind turbines

S Ivanell,N Simisiroglou,S.-P Breton,S Sarmast

doi:10.1088/1742-6596/753/3/032028

S Ivanell, N Simisiroglou + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/753/3/032028

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Abstract

In this study two wind turbine setups are investigated numerically: (a) the flow around a single model wind turbine and (b) the wake interaction between two in-line model wind turbines. This is done by using Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and an actuator disc (ACD) technique in the computational fluid dynamics code PHOENICS. The computations are conducted for the design condition of the rotors using four different turbulence closure models. The computed axial velocity field as well as the turbulent kinetic energy are compared with PIV measurements. For the two model wind turbine setup, the thrust and power coefficient are also computed and compared with measurements. The results show that this RANS ACD method is able to predict the overall behaviour of the flow with low computational effort and that the turbulence closure model has a direct effect on the predicted wake development.

Highlights

The study of wake properties is important for assessing the optimal layout of modern wind farms
Wind turbine wake development may be studied by field experiments, small scale wind tunnel measurements or numerical simulations with the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
Similar results for a small scale model wind turbine are reported by Krogstad and Eriksen [3] for the “Blind test 1” workshop and Pierella et al [4] for the “Blind test 2” workshop indicating the importance of validating existing wind turbine modelling tools and methodologies

Summary

Introduction

The study of wake properties is important for assessing the optimal layout of modern wind farms. Previous work on validating CFD wake models against large wind turbine wind tunnel measurements have been presented by Simms et al [1] for the NREL experimental rotor and by Schepers et al [2] for the MEXICO project. Simulations are performed according to the “Blind test 1” and “Blind test 2” invitation workshops organised by NOWITECH and NORCOWE [5; 6] The goal of both workshops is to serve as an ideal test case for CFD tools by providing detailed measurements of the thrust coefficient, the power coefficient and the wake properties behind

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