Factors enhancing aerofoil wings for wind energy harnessing in buildings

Abstract

This paper presents an approach towards enhanced building-integrated wind harnessing. It uses building forms and profiles to trigger continuous air entrainment to power turbines. Computational fluid dynamics is used for evaluating, testing, and optimizing proposed designs. Wind separation around buildings is modeled alongside an investigation into the parameters of a wing-profile to accelerate wind. Computational fluid dynamics provides a good tool for modeling, designing, and optimizing aerofoil shapes. The main parameters affecting the wing's wind harnessing capabilities are the distance between the wing and the building and the angle of attack of the wing. The aerofoil can magnify wind velocity by a factor ranging from 0.53 to 3.5; that is, from just below Betz limit to over six times the limit, depending on incident velocities. Practical applications: The approach presented in this paper can be implemented directly into optimization of new designs of buildings to integrate wind energy harnessing. Furthermore, new proposed wing shapes or profiles can be investigated by the same procedure presented in this study. Computational fluid dynamics investigations to building-mounted wind technologies, such as the ones presented here, are becoming increasingly adopted in the design process in practice, in university courses and future research.

Studies Based on CFD Behaviour of Aerofoil and Regression Analysis

“…Figure 9 also represents the coefficient of lift value increases up to 50° of the angle of attack and later it drops. As the angle of attack approaches 50°, it reaches a critical angle of attack and it has a major influence on the C l /C d ratio [10], [15], [28] and this C l /C d ratio is one of the parameters which is influenced on the performance of the aerofoil. The maximum impact in terms of C l /C d is observed at an angle of 15° as shown in Figure 10.…”

Wind-Induced Vibrations to Tall Buildings and Wind Turbines

“…This can be either on the top or Vibration Analysis and Control in Mechanical Structures and Wind Energy Conversion Systemsalong the sides of buildings. Buildings can in fact provide the structural support as well as the continuous and sustained flow of wind needed to generate the required power, Elbakheit [11]. The acceptable process involves further optimization to tall buildings aerodynamic form as well as buildings structural loadings.…”

Building integrated diffusers’ area ratio optimization

“…However, many challenges are faced in this process 6 due to the variability of wind patterns and the low magnitude of wind speeds posed by the presence of buildings and other obstacles. Diffuser’s, shroud’s and aerofoil’s 7 , 8 wind augmented turbines provide an opportunity to solve these problems by accelerating wind flows to confined spots in a controlled manner. Thus, reducing the effect of low velocities and turbulences around buildings.…”