“Fast Track” Analysis of Small Wind Turbine Blade Performance

Stępień, Małgorzata; Kulak, Michał; Jóźwik, Krzysztof

doi:10.3390/en13215767

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Up until now, this application is almost exclusively considered for big-scale machines, owing to their overwhelming popularity. As experienced in our previous studies (such as [29][30][31][32]), small wind turbines and the flow around them is adversely influenced by its transitory nature, increasing the possibility of separations and unstable operation. Our previous studies in tandem wind turbines concerned separation distances of less than one rotor diameter ( [33,34]).…”

Section: Aim Of the Researchmentioning

confidence: 86%

Experimental Investigation of the Cooperation of Wind Turbines

et al. 2022

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The article discusses the wind tunnel experimental investigation of two turbines (the downstream unit placed fully in the wake of the upstream one) at various turbulence intensity levels and wind turbine separation distances, at a Reynolds number of approximately 105. The velocity deficit due to the upstream turbine operation is reduced as the wake mixes with the undisturbed flow, which may be enhanced by increasing the turbulence intensity. In a natural environment, this may be provoked by natural wind gusts or changes in the wind inflow conditions. Increased levels of turbulence intensity enlarge the plateau of optimum wind turbine operation—this results in the turbine performance being less prone to variations of tip speed ratio. Another important set of results quantifies the influence of the upstream turbine operation at non-optimal tip speed ratio on the overall system performance, as the downstream machine gains more energy from the wake flow. Thus, all power output maximisation analyses of wind turbine layout in a cluster should encompass not only the locations and distances between the units, but also their operating parameters (TSR, but also pitch or yaw control of the upstream turbine(s)).

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Section: Aim Of the Researchmentioning

confidence: 86%

Experimental Investigation of the Cooperation of Wind Turbines

et al. 2022

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“…An SWT case study, where an existing wind turbine prototype was equipped with a redesigned blade set, to increase its aerodynamic efficiency, was presented by Stepien et al [34]. The research was expanded by model validation in small-scale wind tunnel tests.…”

Section: (B) Wind Tunnelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fast Power Coefficient vs. Tip–Speed Ratio Curves for Small Wind Turbines with Single-Variable Measurements following a Single Test Run

Corbalán,

Chiang

2024

Energies

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Small wind turbines (SWTs) face tremendous challenges in being developed into a more reliable and widespread energy solution, with a number of efficiency, reliability, and cost issues that are yet to be resolved. As part of the development stages of an SWT, testing the resulting efficiency and determining appropriate working ranges are of high importance. In this paper, a methodology is presented for testing SWTs to obtain characteristic performance curves such as Cp (power coefficient) vs. TSR (tip–speed ratio), and torque vs. ω, in a simpler and faster yet accurate manner as an alternative energy solution when a wind tunnel is not available. The performance curves are obtained with the SWT mounted on a platform moving along a runway, requiring only a few minutes of data acquisition. Furthermore, it is only required to measure a single variable, i.e., the generator output voltage. A suitable physics-based mathematical model for the system allows for deriving the desired performance curves from this set of minimal data. The methodology was demonstrated by testing a prototype SWT developed by the authors. The tested prototype had a permanent magnet synchronous generator, but the methodology can be applied to any type of generator with a suitable mathematical model. Given its level of simplicity, accuracy, low cost, and ease of implementation, the proposed testing method has advantages that are helpful in the development process of SWTs, especially if access to a proper wind tunnel is prevented for any reason. To validate the methodology, Cp vs. TSR curves were obtained for an SWT prototype tested under different test conditions, arriving always at the same curve as would be expected. In this case, the test prototype reached a maximum power coefficient (Cp) of 0.35 for wind velocities from 20 to 50 km/h for a TSR of 5.5.

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“…The small wind turbine (WT) market is expected to experience promising growth during the next decade due to the increasing demand for low-power wind generation in isolated areas, such as rural homes, farms, and small businesses. For urban use, small vertical axis WTs (VAWTs) are the most suitable [1][2][3][4]. They are relatively quiet compared to horizontal axis WTs (HAWTs) and can operate independently of the wind direction and even capture weak winds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of a Novel Synergetic Control for Optimal Power Extraction of a Small-Scale Wind Generation System with Variable Loads and Wind Speeds

et al. 2023

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The synergetic control technique (SCT) has the solution for understanding the symmetry inherent in the non-linear properties of wind turbines (WTs); therefore, they achieve excellent performance and enhance the operation of the WT. Small-scale WTs are efficient and cost-effective; they are usually installed close to where the generated electricity is used. This technology is gaining popularity worldwide for off-grid electricity generation, such as in rural homes, farms, small factories, and commercial properties. To enhance the efficiency of the WT, it is vital to operate the WT at its maximum power. This work proposes an efficient and fast maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique based on the SCT to eradicate the drawbacks of the conventional methods and enhance the operation of the WT at the MPP regardless of wind speed and load changes. The SCT has advantages, such as robustness, simplified design, fast response, no requirement for knowledge of WT characteristics, no need for wind sensors or intricate power electronics, and straightforward implementation. Furthermore, it improves speed convergence with minimal steady-state oscillations at the MPP. The investigated configuration involves a wind-driven permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG), uncontrolled rectifier, boost converter, and variable load. The two converters are used to integrate the PMSG with the load. Three scenarios (step changes in wind speed, stochastic changes in wind speed, and variable electrical load) are studied to assess the SCT. The results prove a high performance of the suggested MPPT control method for a fast convergence speed, boosted WT efficacy, low oscillation levels, and applicability under a variety of environmental situations. This work used the MATLAB/Simulink program and was then implemented on a dSPACE 1104 control board to assess the efficacy of the SCT. Furthermore, experimental validation on a 1 kW Darrieus-type WT driving a PMSG was performed.

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“Fast Track” Analysis of Small Wind Turbine Blade Performance

Cited by 9 publications

References 28 publications

Experimental Investigation of the Cooperation of Wind Turbines

Experimental Investigation of the Cooperation of Wind Turbines

Fast Power Coefficient vs. Tip–Speed Ratio Curves for Small Wind Turbines with Single-Variable Measurements following a Single Test Run

Application of a Novel Synergetic Control for Optimal Power Extraction of a Small-Scale Wind Generation System with Variable Loads and Wind Speeds

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