CFD Study of Wind Turbine Aerodynamics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
Performance of wind turbine depends on how the surrounding conditions are taken into account at the point of design. Design parameters are required to be investigated and established in a feasible manner in order to make sure that the design is reliable and at the same time cost-effective. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method seems the most practical approach in order to recognise an appropriate design.
During the course of this project CFD methods are employed for the aerodynamic simulations of wind turbine aerofoil with respect to different (turbulence) flow conditions similar to what occurs in urban and rural environments. The finding of this project would contribute not only to the cutting-edge design technology of wind turbine but also can be used for aerospace, Micro Air Vehicle (MAV), tidal turbine and gas turbine applications.
This project is entirely computational and involves the use of commercial CFD packages (ICEM and Fluent) and MATLAB programming.
During the course of this project CFD methods are employed for the aerodynamic simulations of wind turbine aerofoil with respect to different (turbulence) flow conditions similar to what occurs in urban and rural environments. The finding of this project would contribute not only to the cutting-edge design technology of wind turbine but also can be used for aerospace, Micro Air Vehicle (MAV), tidal turbine and gas turbine applications.
This project is entirely computational and involves the use of commercial CFD packages (ICEM and Fluent) and MATLAB programming.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Mohamed Pourkashanian (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Harry Day (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509735/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1943053 | Studentship | EP/N509735/1 | 01/10/2017 | 24/11/2020 | Harry Day |
| Description | This research has developed a new method of optimising the aerodynamic performance Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs). Although the project is not yet complete, progress so far has demonstrated feasibility and application of Adjoint methods to VAWT aerodynamics within CFD (Computation Fluids Dynamics) simulation software. The application of Adjoint optimisation to VAWTs is novel, and could prove to be a favorable design tool in this field due to the effectiveness and efficiency of the method. One research publication has been submitted to the Journal of Renewable Energy detailing this work - which is currently [Feb 2020] under review. |
| Exploitation Route | This research sets the foundation for this type of methodology, opening an avenue to explore and improve this family of methods further. Extended research could be conducted by academics or in industry. The methodology in development here could be applied to a real VAWT design process either by companies or other research bodies. The work also demonstrates an abstract optimisation principle/method that is not solely applicable to VAWTs - optimisation for an unsteady problem based on 'steady' optimsiation data. This means that other fields/sectors could make use of and apply this work providing wider benefit outside of VAWT research. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy |