A Prescribed Wake Model for Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Incorporating Yaw and Dynamic Inflow. G.U. Aero Report 9543

Galbraith, R.A.M., Coton, F.N., Vezza, M. and Robinson, D.J. (1995) A Prescribed Wake Model for Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Incorporating Yaw and Dynamic Inflow. G.U. Aero Report 9543. Technical Report. Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The following report summarises a three year research programme in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow to develop a comprehensive prescribed wake aerodynamic model for horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) capable of considering yawed and yawing flow. The original motivation for the work lay in the extensive and successful use of similar methodologies for vertical axis wind turbines and in the helicopter field. It was considered that the developed scheme would be suitable for design applications; running in minutes rather than hours. The approach used was similar to that of Coton et al.(1994) for vertical axis wind turbine applications where the blade was represented as a lifting line and a lattice of shed and trailing vortex filaments comprised the wake. The spatial and temporal development of the wake was pre-assigned using prescription functions developed in the current study and the induced flow at the blades was calculated by application of the Biot-Savart equation. Initially, the model was validated against free wake and field data for steady axial flow but was then extended to consider yawed flow. As a final stage, the unsteady aerofoil performance scheme of Lieshman and Beddoes (1989) was incorporated to account for the dynamic changes in blade loading around the azimuth in yawed flow. The resulting model has been compared to wind tunnel test data and field data supplied by NREL from the combined experiment. The work has resulted in a comprehensive aerodynamic model which is currently the focus of a follow-on EPSRC study (GR/K14995) which will extend its capabilities further.

• Item Type: Research Reports or Papers (Technical Report)
• Additional Information: Final contractor report for SERC/EPSRC contract number GR/H82105.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Coton, Professor Frank and Galbraith, Professor Roderick and Vezza, Dr Marco
• Authors: Galbraith, R.A.M., Coton, F.N., Vezza, M., and Robinson, D.J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Publisher: Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 1995 Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the Department