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PREDICTION CAPABILITIES IN VERTICAL-AXIS WIND TURBINE

AERODYNAMICS

Article · January 2002

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 The World Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition, Berlin, Germany, 2-6 July 2002

PREDICTION CAPABILITIES IN VERTICAL-AXIS WIND TURBINE AERODYNAMICS

I. Paraschivoiu, F. Saeed and V. Desobry

J.-A. Bombardier Aeronautical Chair, École Polytechnique de Montréal
C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal (Québec) Canada, H3C 3A7
Phone: (514) 340-4711 ext.: 4583, Fax: (514) 340-5917,
E-mail: ion.paraschivoiu@meca.polymtl.ca

ABSTRACT: The paper summaries the progress made in the development of the different state-of-the-art numerical
tools for simulating the flow field around the vertical-axis wind turbine as well as the dynamic-stall phenomenon. More
specifically, the paper highlights the current capabilities and limitations of aerodynamic models with emphasis on double-
multiple streamtube model as a design tool (CARDAAV code). The paper also highlights some of the recent
improvements for an enhanced performance of VAWT through a variable pitch for straight-bladed rotor to regulate
dynamic-stall regime. Furthermore, a new inverse design tool has been developed to optimize VAWT performance using
a Genetic Algorithm in conjunction with the CARDAAV code. The strength of the numerical tool based on the DMS
model lies in its ability to analyze secondary effects that interfere with aerodynamic calculations and the dynamic stall.
Keywords: Blade Aerodynamics, Dynamic Stall, Models (Mathematical), Numerical Methods, Navier-Stokes Equations,
and Wind Turbine (VAWT).

1 INTRODUCTION model was developed by Strickland [3] who considered

The Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) offers a
mechanically and structurally simple method of
harnessing the energy of the wind. The blade elements
operate in both unstalled and stalled conditions with
dynamic stall providing the rotor inherent power
regulation. The J.-A. Bombardier Aeronautical Chair at
Ecole Polytechnique has developed computer codes to
predict aerodynamic loads and performance of a Darrieus
rotor including viscous, stochastic wind and dynamic-stall
effects [1]. A fundamental study of the dynamic-stall
phenomenon has also been performed using the unsteady
Navier-Stokes equations in a streamfunction-vorticity
formulation.
The development of the different state-of-the-art
numerical tools for simulating the flow field around the
VAWT as well as the dynamic-stall phenomenon are
based on methods that can be divided into four major
categories: momentum models, vortex models, local-
circulation models and viscous models. In the momentum
model, the rotor is replaced by an actuator disk and then
the flow through the rotor is determined by equating the
forces on the rotor blades to the time rate of change in
momentum through the rotor. The vortex models are
based on the vorticity equation and use Biot-Savart law to
calculate induced velocities over the blades. In the local-
circulation model, the blade is represented by a
superposition of imaginary blades of different spans with
elliptical circulation distribution in the same manner as
used for rotary wings. All these three methods consider
the fluid to be inviscid. A viscous model solves a 2D/3D
steady, laminar Navier-Stokes equations in primitive
variable approach.
2 MOMENTUM MODELS
The first approach to analyze the flow field around a
VAWT was developed by Templin [2] who considered
the rotor as an actuator disk enclosed in a simple
streamtube where the induced velocity through the swept
volume of the turbine is assumed to be constant. An
extension of this method to the multiple-streamtube
the swept volume of the turbine as a series of adjacent
streamtubes. Paraschivoiu [4] developed an analytical
model, the double-multiple streamtube model (DMS
model), that considers a multiple-streamtube system
divided into two parts where the upwind and downwind
components of the induced velocities at each level of the
rotor are calculated by using the principle of two actuator
disks in tandem.
2.1 Codes Based on the DMS Model
The DMS model has been implemented in CARDAAV
computer code in which VAWTs can be designed to meet
the desired specifications. The code can also be used to
satisfy certain desired parameters, for example, the
influence of the blade geometry, the airfoil type, and the
presence of struts and aerodynamic spoilers on the
Darrieus turbine thus making CARDAAV a very
attractive and efficient design and analysis tool.
Three computer code variants based of the DMS model
have been developed: CARDAA, CARDAAV and
CARDAAX. The first variant, CARDAA, uses two
constant interference factors in the induced velocities, for
each half-streamtube. It uses semi-empirical dynamic-
stall model and has the capability to analyze and to
predict the power output of a VAWT whose blades
contain step changes in airfoil chord length and section
profile. This code is also used for the prediction of
VAWT dynamic structural response. The CARDAAV
code considers the variation of the interference factors as
a function of the azimuthal angle on the upwind and
downwind half of the rotor. In addition, a number of
secondary effects are also taken into account, namely the
blade geometry and profile type, the rotating tower and
the presence of struts and spoilers. Two semi-empirical
dynamic-stall models (Gormont and Indicial models) are
included in CARDAAV code. Finally, since the airflow
over Darrieus turbine is cut twice during one cycle, with
the result that the downwind zone of the rotor is strongly
disturbed by the upwind zone, the third variant,
CARDAAX, incorporates a simplified physical model
that takes the streamtube expansion effects into account
and allows a more realistic modeling of the upwind/
downwind flow field asymmetries inherent in a VAWT.
3 STOCHASTIC MODEL
Turbulent flow effects have been identified as one of
the major source of rotor blade fatigue and several studies
have examined the effect of atmospheric turbulence on a
rotating wind turbine blade [5, 6]. A new code named
CARDAAS, which refers to the use of stochastic wind,
was developed to predict aerodynamic loads on Darrieus
rotor by taking the fluctuating nature of the wind into
account [6]. The stochastic wind model simulates the
turbulent velocity fluctuations by incorporating both the
streamwise, lateral components and fluctuations in DMS
model. The 1-D variations of this turbulent wind are
introduced by creating time series of the wind velocity at
a fixed point upwind of the rotor by assuming that the
wind speed is constant in a plane perpendicular to the
mean wind direction. In the 3-D wind model a wind
speed time series is generated to represent the variation
about the mean velocity in the longitudinal and vertical
directions.
4 VISCOUS MODELS
The flow field of a rotating machine, especially the
wake, is dominated by the viscous and rotational
characteristics. Two computer codes based on the
viscous flow field models have been developed by
Rajagopalan [7, 8]. The numerical model is based on the
steady laminar incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in
a cartesian domain (VFFVAT code - Viscous Flow Field
of Vertical-Axis Turbine) or in cylindrical coordinates
using a control volume approach (3DVF code).
5 DYNAMIC-STALL MODELS
In the case of Darrieus wind turbine, when the
operational speed approaches its maximum, all the blade
sections exceed the static stall angle, the angle of attack
changes rapidly and the whole blade operates under
dynamic-stall conditions increasing the unsteady blade
loads and structural fatigue. Dynamic stall significantly
influences the global performance of wind turbines.
The semi-empirical models were employed in our
computer codes to evaluate the performance of the wind
turbine, however, they are limited to the type of airfoil
and motion used in the experiment from which they were
derived. In addition, they cannot predict the evolution of
the boundary layer and pressure distribution that are
essential for studying dynamic stall. Hence, a new code
for simulating the dynamic stall around Darrieus turbine
has been developed that solves the Navier-Stokes
equations using the finite-element method in a
streamfunction-vorticity formulation [9]. Since 3-D
simulation would be very expensive a 2-D simulation has
been adopted.
6 STRAIGHT-BLADE VARIABLE-PITCH VAWT
One of the major problems in the Darrieus rotor is to
regulate dynamic-stall regime for maximizing the
performance of the wind turbine. A study [10] was
carried out to examine the effect of changing the local
effective angle of attack from its original value during
rotation on the power output. Three different
modifications to the local effective angle of attack were
studied with the aid of the CARDAAV code. In the third
modification (mod3), being the most significant as well as
most practical of the three, the magnitude of the local
effective angle of attack during the rotation was set as a
sinusoidal function whose maximum amplitude was set
equal to the sum of the local effective angle of attack and
the maximum difference between the local effective angle
of attack and the local stall angle. As such the rotor blade
always operates below the local stall angle and the
evolution of the effective angle of attack during a
complete rotation is smooth and continuous. In the first
two modifications (mod1 & mod2), the local effective
angle of attack is kept just below the local stall and,
hence, results in sharp jumps in the local effective angle
of attack that are highly undesirable from a practical point
of view. Moreover, although the power output obtained
by the third modification is less than that of the first two,
it results in a smooth and continuous change in the
resulting aerodynamic loads and hence less fatigue. The
third modification is, in our opinion, a good compromise
between maximum gain in effectiveness and represents a
practical way to realise a variable pitch for a straight-
bladed rotor and regularization of dynamic stall in power
curve vs. wind speed.
7 VAWT DESIGN OPTIMIZATION USING A
GENETIC ALGORITHM
A new Darrieus VAWT design and analysis tool has been
developed. It is based on the coupling of CARDAAV
code and a genetic algorithm (the GENIAL code
developed by Henrik Widell [11]). Thus, with this tool,
optimization of the wind turbine performance for a given
set of constraints and an objective function can provide
design parameters for maximizing the ability of the wind
turbine to extract the wind energy for a given power. The
variables considered in this optimization are the
geometrical and operational parameters such as: height,
aspect ratio, chord length, number of blades, airfoils,
rotation speed, etc. The use of a genetic algorithm is
particularly suitable for the combined analysis of these
variables (see Fig. 1). Furthermore, the tool can also be
used for parametric studies since a large number of
evaluations are possible due to the fast execution time of
the CARDAAV code.
8 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The performance prediction of Sandia 17-m wind turbine
(Fig. 2) using CARDAA code was improved by
considering the variable interference factors (CARDAAV
code) and by including streamtube expansion effects
(CARDAAX code). CARDAA overpredicts the power
coefficient peak while CARDAAV and CARDAAX
results show good agreements when compared to
experimental data. In addition, these results are very
close to vortex model results (VDART3), [12]. The
simulation of the dynamic-stall hysterisis loop using
3DVF code with indicial model, CARDAAV predictions
in the upwind and downwind regions of the turbine agree
well with experimental data [13], (Fig. 3).
 Input variables and their
boundary

Initial Population

Call CARDAAV and

evalution of Objective
Function

Yes
Sort of the best
Last Generation chromosome between
the populations
Figure 4 Comparison of normal force coefficient at tip-
No speed ratio of 2.86 and turbulence = (27%, 25%)

Selection of Figure 4 compares the normal force coefficients for the

chromosomes from later steady state and stochastic loads, using a 3-D wind
population and
generation of child simulations (CARDAAS 3D), viscous code 3DVF and
chromosomes experimental data at a tip-speed ratio of 2.86 including
Gormont’s dynamic-stall model. 3-D models predict
almost the same ensemble-averaged values of normal
Insertion of the new force coefficient although the instantaneous values may
chromosomes (new have significant variations. For low turbulence intensity
population)
however, the deviation between the ensemble-averaged
values and steady-state predictions becomes much
Figure 1 Flow chart for the Genetic Algorithm smaller than in the case of high turbulence intensity.

Figure 2 Comparison of different analysis codes

Figure 5 Numerical simulation of dynamic stall

In the above aerodynamic codes the model used for

Figure 3 Normal force coefficient vs. angle of attack at
tip-speed ratio of 2.49
dynamic stall is based on semi-empirical methods. The
simulation of the computed flow structure around an
airfoil in Darrieus motion using Navier-Stokes solver in a
streamfunction-vorticity formulation is given in Fig. 5 in
term of streamline evolution. Results using Johnson-
King turbulence model can predict the region where the
 dynamic stall may occur. In the upwind zone of the
rotation, the dynamic stall occurs between 26 deg and 195
deg of the azimuthal angle θ. This dynamic stall
generates vortices that result in peaks in the normal and
tangential force coefficients.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the effect of blade effective
angle of attack regulation on the power output of a
straight-blade VAWT. It can be seen that the three
modifications (mod1-3 in Fig. 7) yield more power for
higher wind speeds than the case when the VAWT is
operating under static or dynamic stalls. Amongst these
modifications, only mod3 is physically feasible (Fig. 6)
because of the continuity of the blade pitch angle.
Figure 6 Variation of blade effective angle of attack
Figure 7 Power output as a result of blade pitch
regulation
9 CONCLUSIONS
Computer codes have been developed to predict
aerodynamic loads and performance of a Darrieus rotor
including viscous, stochastic wind, and dynamic-stall
effects. Three dynamic-stall models are included in our
wind turbine load/performance computer codes:
Gormont, MIT and Indicial models. A fundamental study
of dynamic stall has been performed by solving the
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unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. The differents codes
developed so far represent valuable tools for simulating
the flow field around the turbine and dynamic-stall
phenomenon. Although comparison of theoretical results
with experimental data have shown good agreements,
further work is under consideration to develop improved
models of the wind encountered by the rotor, the
atmospheric flow across a site, the wake that affects
blades in addition to the development of optimization
tools.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of
NSERC through their Grant 1442 and Bombardier
Foundation.
REFERENCES
[1] Paraschivoiu, I., "Wind Turbine Design with emphasis
on Darrieus Concept," Polytechnic International Press,
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[2] Templin, R.J., "Aerodynamic Performance Theory
for the NRC Vertical Axis Wind Turbine," NRC of
Canada, Report LTR-LA-10, 1974.
[3] Strickland, J.H., "The Darrieus Turbine: A
Performance Prediction Model Using Multiple
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SAND 75-041, 1975.
[4] Paraschivoiu, I., "Aerodynamic Loads and
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[5] Veers, P.S. "Modeling Stochastic Wind Loads on
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