Numerical Analysis of the Integration of Wind Turbines into the Design of the Built Environment

Abstract

The effect of wind distribution on the architectural domain of the Bahrain Trade Centre was numerically analysed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Using the numerical data, the power generation potential of the building integrated wind turbines was determined in response to the prevailing wind direction. Simulating a reference wind speed of 6 m/s, the findings from the study quantified an estimate power generation of 6.4 kW indicating a capacity factor of 2.9% for the computational model. At the windward side of the building, it was observed that the layers of turbulence intensified in inverse proportion to the height of the building with an average value of 0.45 J/kg. The air velocity was found to gradually increase in direct proportion to the elevation with the turbine located at higher altitude receiving maximum exposure to incoming wind. This study highlighted the potential of using advanced computational fluid dynamics in order to factor wind into the design of any architectural environment.

Technological Advances and Trends in Modern High-Rise Buildings

“…This phenomenon has been effectively used in three wind turbines installed in buildings, which are oriented toward the extremely dominant prevailing wind. In conjunction with the shape of the towers and the velocity profile of the wind, the upper and lower turbines produce 109% and 93% of energy when compared to 100% for the middle turbine [53]. Besides wind energy, the Bahrain World Trade Centre building has other sustainable architecture elements [55].…”

Computational Analysis to Factor Wind into the Design of an Architectural Environment

“…The model employs the control-volume technique and the Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure-Linked Equations (SIMPLE) velocitypressure coupling algorithm with the second order upwind discretisation. The standard -transport model which is frequently used for incompressible flows was used to define the turbulence kinetic energy and flow dissipation rate within the model [11,12]. The use of the standard -transport model on building configurations has been found in previous works of [3,[13][14][15].…”