Characterizing the response of a wind turbine model under complex inflow conditions

K. B. Howard, J. S. Hu, L. P. Chamorro, M. Guala

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

A horizontal axis wind turbine model was tested in a closed-circuit wind tunnel under various inflow conditions. Separate experiments placed the test turbine (i) in the wake of a three-dimensional, sinusoidal hill, (ii) in the wake of another turbine and (iii) in the turbulent boundary layer, as a reference case. Simultaneous high-frequency measurements of the turbine output voltage, rotor angular velocity along with streamwise and wall normal velocity components were collected at various locations through the turbine's miniature direct-current (DC) generator, a high-resolution laser tachometer and cross-wire anemometer, respectively. Validation trials were conducted first in order to characterize the test turbine's output and response to the baseline turbulent boundary layer. Analysis was performed by comparing the cross-wire anemometry measurements of the incoming flow with the turbine voltage output to investigate the unsteady rotor kinematics under different flow perturbations. Using spectral, auto-correlation and cross-correlation methods, it was found that the flow structures developing downwind of the hill leave a stronger signature on the fluctuations and spectrum of the rotor angular velocity, as compared with those flow structures filtered or deflected by placing a turbine upwind. In summary, we show that the effects on downwind turbines of complex terrain and multi-turbine arrangements are consistent with the induced modifications by the hill or turbine on the large scale structures in the incoming flow.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)729-743
Number of pages15
JournalWind Energy
Volume18
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Keywords

  • boundary layer
  • complex terrain
  • horizontal axis wind turbine
  • turbulence
  • wind energy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Characterizing the response of a wind turbine model under complex inflow conditions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this