Optimisation of a mini horizontal axis wind turbine to increase energy yield during short duration wind variations
- Authors: Poole, Sean Nichola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Wind turbines -- Design and construction , Horizontal axis wind turbines -- Blades , Wind turbines -- Aerodynamics , Wind power
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7036 , vital:21196
- Description: The typical methodology for analytically designing a wind turbine blade is by means of blade element momentum (BEM) theory, whereby the aerofoil angle of attack is optimized to achieve a maximum lift-to-drag ratio. This research aims to show that an alternative optimisation methodology could yield better results, especially in gusty and turbulent wind conditions. This alternative method looks at increasing the aerofoil Reynolds number by increasing the aerofoil chord length. The increased Reynolds number generally increases the e_ectiveness of the aerofoil which would result in a higher or similar lift-to-drag ratio (even at the decreased angle of attacked require to maintain the turbine thrust coe_cient). The bene_t of this design is a atter power curve which causes the turbine to be less sensitive to uctuating winds. Also, the turbine has more torque at startup, allowing for operatation in lower wind speeds. This research is assumed to only be applicable to small wind turbines which operated in a low Reynolds number regime (<500 000), where Reynolds number manipulation is most advantageous.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Poole, Sean Nichola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Wind turbines -- Design and construction , Horizontal axis wind turbines -- Blades , Wind turbines -- Aerodynamics , Wind power
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7036 , vital:21196
- Description: The typical methodology for analytically designing a wind turbine blade is by means of blade element momentum (BEM) theory, whereby the aerofoil angle of attack is optimized to achieve a maximum lift-to-drag ratio. This research aims to show that an alternative optimisation methodology could yield better results, especially in gusty and turbulent wind conditions. This alternative method looks at increasing the aerofoil Reynolds number by increasing the aerofoil chord length. The increased Reynolds number generally increases the e_ectiveness of the aerofoil which would result in a higher or similar lift-to-drag ratio (even at the decreased angle of attacked require to maintain the turbine thrust coe_cient). The bene_t of this design is a atter power curve which causes the turbine to be less sensitive to uctuating winds. Also, the turbine has more torque at startup, allowing for operatation in lower wind speeds. This research is assumed to only be applicable to small wind turbines which operated in a low Reynolds number regime (<500 000), where Reynolds number manipulation is most advantageous.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The development of a segmented variable pitch small horizontal axis wind turbine with active pitch control
- Authors: Poole, Sean
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Horizontal axis wind turbines , Wind turbines -- Environmental aspects , Wind turbines -- Aerodynamics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering
- Identifier: vital:9657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020583
- Description: Small scale wind turbines operating in an urban environment produce dismal amounts of power when compared to their expected output [1-4]. This is largely due to the gusty wind conditions found in an urban environment, coupled with the fact that the wind turbines are not designed for these conditions. A new concept of a Segmented Variable Pitch (SVP) wind turbine has been proposed, which has a strong possibility to perform well in gusty and variable wind conditions. This dissertation explains the concept of a SVP wind turbine in more detail and shows analytical and experimental results relating to this concept. Also, the potential benefits of the proposed concept are mentioned. The results from this dissertation show that this concept has potential with promising results on possible turbine blade aerofoil configurations. Scaled model tests were completed and although further design optimisation is required, the tests showed good potential for the SVP concept. Lastly a proof-of-concept full scale model was manufactured and tested to prove scalability to full size from concept models. Along with the proof-of-concept full scale model, a wireless control system (to control the blade segments) was developed and tested.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Poole, Sean
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Horizontal axis wind turbines , Wind turbines -- Environmental aspects , Wind turbines -- Aerodynamics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering
- Identifier: vital:9657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020583
- Description: Small scale wind turbines operating in an urban environment produce dismal amounts of power when compared to their expected output [1-4]. This is largely due to the gusty wind conditions found in an urban environment, coupled with the fact that the wind turbines are not designed for these conditions. A new concept of a Segmented Variable Pitch (SVP) wind turbine has been proposed, which has a strong possibility to perform well in gusty and variable wind conditions. This dissertation explains the concept of a SVP wind turbine in more detail and shows analytical and experimental results relating to this concept. Also, the potential benefits of the proposed concept are mentioned. The results from this dissertation show that this concept has potential with promising results on possible turbine blade aerofoil configurations. Scaled model tests were completed and although further design optimisation is required, the tests showed good potential for the SVP concept. Lastly a proof-of-concept full scale model was manufactured and tested to prove scalability to full size from concept models. Along with the proof-of-concept full scale model, a wireless control system (to control the blade segments) was developed and tested.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
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