Investigation and evaluation of aerodynamic efficiency improvement measures for vertical axis small wind turbines

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Daniel Lehser-Pfeffermann, Alex Piethe, Frank Ulrich Ruckert and Franz Joos

University of applied Sciences Saarbrucken, Germany
Helmut-Schmidt-University Hamburg, Germany

: J Nucl Ene Sci Power Generat Technol

Abstract

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Power generation using wind turbines is an essential element of regenerative energy supply. Due to geographical and legal restrictions, multi-megawatt wind turbines are only installed at a considerable distance from consumers. In order to reduce grid losses, small wind turbines are used for local power generation. However, in suburban areas, increased turbulence in the wind conditions must be taken into account due to the development of small wind turbines. Since vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) operate more independently of the wind direction, they are better suited for such applications despite lower overall power efficiency. In order to increase the efficiency of VAWTs, various active and passive methods are investigated within the scope of this work. In particular, these are applications for vertex generation, surface layer suction and flexible trailing edges. The influence of the applications on the lift and drag coefficients in comparison to the original NACA 0021 profile is shown by simulative investigations. The flow around the profile is calculated and the resulting lift forces are plotted depending on the angle of attack. To validate the simulation, experimental investigations of the profile applications are carried out in a small wind tunnel. For manufacturing of the profile prototypes, an additive manufacturing process is used. Finally, the simulation and test results are compared. In addition to the lift to drag ratio, an economic implementation is further evaluation criterion for the possible use on a VAWT rotor.

Biography

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Daniel Lehser-Pfeffermann has studied mechatronics and sensor technology and works since 2014 as a research assistant in the lab of wind energy technologies on the University of Applied Sciences Saarbrucken. Actually, he worked in the fields of simulation (structural analysis, multi body simulation, computational fluid dynamics) additive manufacturing and experimental investigation. In his PhD-Project, he focused on the development and efficiency upgrade of vertical axis small wind turbines for suburban areas.

E-mail: daniel.pfeffermann@htwsaar.de