Spectral behaviour of the turbulence-driven power fluctuations of wind turbines

Field and laboratory experiments were performed to unravel the structure of the power output fluctuations of horizontal-axis wind turbines based on incoming flow turbulence. The study considers the power data of three wind turbines of rotor sizes 0.12, 3.2, and 96 m, with rated power spanning six decades from the order of 10⁰ to 10⁶ W. The 0.12 m wind turbine was tested in a wind tunnel while the 3.2 and 96 m wind turbines were operated in open fields under approximately neutrally stratified thermal conditions. Incoming flow turbulence was characterised by hotwire and sonic anemometers for the wind tunnel and field set-ups. While previous works have observed a filtering behaviour in wind turbine power output, this exact behaviour has not, to date, been properly characterised. Based on the spectral structure of the incoming flow turbulence at hub height, and the mechanical and structural properties of the turbines, a physical basis for the behaviour of temporal power fluctuations and their spectral structure is found with potential applications in turbine control and numerical simulations. Consistent results are observed across the geometrical scales of the wind turbines investigated, suggesting no Reynolds number dependence in the tested range.     

Simulation of the inherent turbulence and wake interaction inside an infinitely long row of wind turbines

The turbulence in the interior of a wind farm is simulated using large eddy simulation and the actuator line technique implemented in the Navier–Stokes equations. The simulations are carried out for an infinitely long row of turbines simulated by applying cyclic boundary conditions at the inlet and outlet. The simulations investigate the turbulence inherent to the wind turbines as no ambient turbulence or shear is added to this idealised case. The simulated data give insight into the performance of the wind turbines operating in the wake of others as well as details on key turbulent quantities. One of the key features of wakes behind wind turbines is the dynamic wake meandering, which is shown to be related to the wind turbine spacing and the vortex shedding from the turbine as a bluff body. The flow is analysed and reconstructed by applying proper orthogonal decomposition.     

On the scale-to-scale coupling between a full-scale wind turbine and turbulence

The scale-dependent response of an instrumented full-scale wind turbine is studied under neutrally stratified conditions. The analysis is focused on the linkage between the incoming flow, turbine power output and foundation strain. Wind speed, measured from sonic anemometers installed on a meteorological tower, and foundation strain were sampled at 20 Hz, while the turbine power was sampled at 1 Hz. A wavelet framework and structure function are used to obtain cross correlations among flow turbulence, turbine power and strain across scales as well as to quantify intermittent signatures in both flow and turbine quantities. Results indicate that correlation between the streamwise velocity component of the wind flow and turbine power is maximised across all scales larger than the rotor radius for wind measured at the turbine hub height. The characteristic time lag associated with maximum correlation is shown to be consistent with the Taylor’s hypothesis for turbulent scales smaller than the separation between the meteorological tower and the turbine. However, it decreases with increasing scale size and diminishes to zero at scales on the order of the boundary layer thickness. Turbine power and strain fluctuations exhibited practically the same behaviour at scales larger than two rotor diameters. At those scales, the cross correlation between these quantities resulted ～0.99 and remains still over 0.9 at the scale of rotor radius. Below this scale, the correlation decreases logarithmically with scale. The strong linkage between power and strain for all the relevant scales would eventually allow the analysis of dynamic forcing on the foundation based on the power output. Intermittency on the flow is shown to be transferred and amplified by the turbine, leading to highly intermittent power output.     

风力机翼型在失速工况下非定常流场的本征正交分解分析

风力机气动性能受静态失速与动态失速影响很大,对风力机翼型的失速问题研究具有重要意义。本文通过计算流体力学方法得到的风力机翼型在固定大攻角工况,以及大攻角震荡工况下的非定常流场,来研究翼型静态失速与动态失速。采用本征正交分解方法(POD),对非定常流场降阶,得到流场的POD模态以及对应的系数。POD模态结果表明在静态失速下,主要非定常流动结构是尾迹区域交替脱落的涡结构;在动态失速下,除了尾迹区域,前缘和整个吸力面都存在流动分离结构。     

Loss of efficiency in a coaxial arrangement of a pair of wind rotors

The efficiency of a pair of wind turbines is experimentally investigated for the case when the model of the second rotor is coaxially located in the wake of the first one. This configuration implies the maximum level of losses in wind farms, as in the rotor wakes, the deceleration of the freestream is maximum. As a result of strain gauge measurements, the dependences of dimensionless power characteristics of both rotors on the distances between them were determined for different modes at different tip speed ratios. The obtained results are of interest for further development of aerodynamics of wind turbines, for optimizing the work of existing wind farms and reducing their power losses due to interactions with wakes of other wind turbines during design and calculation.     

Characterising the near-wake of a cross-flow turbine

The performance and detailed near-wake characteristics of a vertical axis, cross-flow turbine (CFT) of aspect ratio 1 were measured in a large cross-section towing tank. The near-wake at one turbine diameter downstream was examined using acoustic Doppler velocimetry, where essential features regarding momentum, energy, and vorticity are highlighted. Dominant scales and their relative importance were investigated and compared at various locations in the measurement plane. Estimates for the terms in the mean streamwise momentum and mean kinetic energy equation were computed, showing that the unique mean vertical velocity field of this wake, characterised by counter-rotating swirling motion, contributes significantly more to recovery than the turbulent transport. This result sheds light on previous CFT studies showing relatively fast downstream wake recovery compared to axial-flow turbines. Finally, predictions from a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulation with the commonly used actuator disk model were compared with the experimental results, evaluating its use as an engineering tool for studying flow in CFT arrays. Unsurprisingly, the model was not able to predict the near-wake structure accurately. This comparison highlights the need for improved parameterised engineering models to accurately predict the near-wake physics of CFTs.     

Self-similarity and flow characteristics of vertical-axis wind turbine wakes: an LES study

Large eddy simulation (LES) is coupled with a turbine model to study the structure of the wake behind a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT). In the simulations, a tuning-free anisotropic minimum dissipation model is used to parameterise the subfilter stress tensor, while the turbine-induced forces are modelled with an actuator line technique. The LES framework is first validated in the simulation of the wake behind a model straight-bladed VAWT placed in the water channel and then used to study the wake structure downwind of a full-scale VAWT sited in the atmospheric boundary layer. In particular, the self-similarity of the wake is examined, and it is found that the wake velocity deficit can be well characterised by a two-dimensional multivariate Gaussian distribution. By assuming a self-similar Gaussian distribution of the velocity deficit, and applying mass and momentum conservation, an analytical model is developed and tested to predict the maximum velocity deficit downwind of the turbine. Also, a simple parameterisation of VAWTs for LES with very coarse grid resolutions is proposed, in which the turbine is modelled as a rectangular porous plate with the same thrust coefficient. The simulation results show that, after some downwind distance (x/D ≈ 6), both actuator line and rectangular porous plate models have similar predictions for the mean velocity deficit. These results are of particular importance in simulations of large wind farms where, due to the coarse spatial resolution, the flow around individual VAWTs is not resolved.     

1+1/2对转涡轮中激波结构的数值研究

本文对1 1／2对转涡轮中激波及激波／叶排干扰等进行了详细的数值模拟。分析发现,1 1／2对转涡轮高压动叶流道中压缩波系与常规涡轮流道中的压缩波系存在明显的不同。1 1／2对转涡轮高压动叶吸力面60％轴向弦长处产生了一组压缩波,它与内伸波相交。在常规涡轮中,这组压缩波将不会出现;内伸波在吸力面的反射波很强,不能忽略。在常规涡轮中,内伸波的反射波可以忽略。由于尾迹及低压动叶的作用,高压动叶外伸波的影响范围和强度呈现周期性的变化。     

Vortex identification in the wake of a model wind turbine array

Vortex identification techniques are used to analyse the wake of a 4 × 3 array of model wind turbines. The Q-criterion, Δ-criterion, and λ₂-criterion are applied to particle image velocimetry data gathered fore and aft of the last row centerline turbine. The Q-criterion and λ₂-criterion provide a clear indication of regions where vortical activity exists, while the Δ-criterion is not successful. Galilean decomposition, Reynolds decomposition, vorticity, and swirling strength are used to further understand the location and behaviour of the vortices. The techniques identify and display the high-magnitude vortices in high-shear zones resulting from the blade tips. Using Galilean and Reynolds decomposition, swirling motions are shown encapsuling vortex regions in agreement with the identification criteria. The Galilean decompositions selected are 20% and 50% of a convective velocity of 7 m/s. As the vortices convect downstream, the strength of the vortices decreases in magnitude, particularly in the far wake of the array, to approximately 25% of those present in the near wake. A high level of vortex activity is visualised as a result of the top tip of the wind turbine blade -- the location where the highest vertical entrainment is present. Analysing the full frame set, the Q-criterion, λ₂-criterion, and swirling strength prove comparable, while the Δ-criterion under-performs in regions of high turbulence activity, namely in the back of the turbine. Entraining flow into the turbine canopy interacting with the turbine generates high-magnitude vortices concentrated at the blade tips. The count of vortices decreases when moving from the top tip down to the wall, as well as their strength for each Galilean technique when a non-zero threshold is applied. Vortex sizes in the near wake are found comparable to turbine blade, hub, and mast dimensions. In the far wake, the resulting size of the vortices is approximately 30% of those in the near wake. These vortices increase in velocity as they convect downstream, following the mean velocity behaviour. The lowest magnitude vortices reside at the hub height in the near-wake region, where they convect at nearly half the speed of those at the blade tips.     

1+1/2对转涡轮低压动叶激波结构的研究

本文对1 1／2对转涡轮低压动叶中激波结构等进行了详细的数值模拟．通过对流道中静压和马赫数等参数的分析发现,当高压动叶外伸波扫过低压动叶流道时,低压动叶前缘吸力面处产生了一道脱体弧形激波,流道中吸力面上产生了一道正激波,在脱体激波和正激波之间,存在着较强的膨胀波,这种分布与跨音压气机叶栅中的波系结构相似．当高压动叶尾迹扫过低压动叶时,低压动叶吸力面的压力会产生明显的波动,出现一个随时间变化的低压区．     

升力型垂直轴风力机翼型的选择

目前升力型垂直轴风力机采用的翼型多种多样,为了研究不同翼型对升力型垂直轴风力机风能利用率的影响,本文采用计算流体力学软件和滑移网格技术对升力型直叶片垂直轴风力机进行二维流场的数值模拟。结果表明,对于升力型垂直轴风力机,当选择NACA0018翼型可以达到最高的风能利用率。     

Numerical Investigation and Wind Tunnel Validation on Near-Wake Vortical Structures of Wind Turbine Blades

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been used by numerous researchers for the simulation of flows around wind turbines. Since the 2000s, the experiments of NREL phase VI blades for blind comparison have been a de-facto standard for numerical software on the prediction of full scale horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) performance. However, the characteristics of vortex structures in the wake, whether for modeling the wake or for understanding the aerodynamic mechanisms inside, are still not thoroughly investigated. In the present study, the flow around NREL phase VI blades was numerically simulated, and the results of the wake field were compared with the experimental ones of a one-to-eight scaled model in a low-speed wind tunnel. A good agreement between simulation and experimental results was achieved for the evaluation of overall performances. The simulation captured the complete formation procedure of tip vortex structure from the blade. Quantitative analysis showed the streamwise translation movement of vortex cores. Both the initial formation and the damping of vorticity in near wake field were predicted. These numerical results showed good agreements with the measurements. Moreover, wind tunnel wall effects were also investigated on these vortex structures, and it revealed further radial expansion of the helical vortical structures in comparison with the free-stream case.     

1＋1/2对转涡轮高压动叶顶部间隙流场数值研究

本文对1 1/2对转涡轮中高压动叶顶部间隙中的流动进行了详细的数值研究.通过分析沿弦向不同位置截面上的相对马赫数、速度矢量及静压等的分布,研究了高压动叶间隙及附近的波系及涡系分布.由于1 1/2对转涡轮高压动叶为缩放型流道,其间隙中出现了明显的超音流动,这与普通涡轮间隙中的流动存在明显不同.     

海上风电叶片智能控制实验系统研制及控制效果分析

随着风力机大型化发展,叶片尾缘襟翼控制技术,作为叶片流场主动控制的一种有效手段,能够有效、快速、灵活地降低叶片载荷,提高风力机,特别是大型风力机的可靠性、经济性,该技术受到国内外的广泛关注。为深入了解叶片襟翼实际作用效果及降载机制,在大量数值仿真计算工作基础上,需进一步开展带有襟翼控制的模型风力机风洞实验工作。本文在相似准则基础上,引入叶片展向环量、Polar线相似条件,对NREL 5 MW风力机叶片按1:105进行缩比设计,采用伺服电机驱动襟翼的结构方案对叶片参数进行修正,并根据BEM理论优化带有襟翼叶片的气动性能,最终确定带有襟翼控制的风力机叶片设计方案。最后利用气弹耦合仿真计算平台对带有襟翼控制的模型风力机进行性能计算,确定理想实验工况点及对应的降载效果。本文所开展的工作不仅能够为叶片缩比设计提供新思路,更有意义的是为襟翼控制系统在叶片中的实现提供有效借鉴。     

基于LBM方法的风力发电机尾流结构仿真

针对传统CFD数值计算方法难以实现风力机动态旋转及其旋转状态下的流固耦合计算,本文结合格子玻尔兹曼(LBM)方法易于处理动态复杂边界的特点及大涡模拟(LES)方法在非稳态涡流结构捕捉上的优势,采用LBM-LES联合方法进行三维风力发电机整机气动性能及尾流结构仿真研究,同时采用尺度自适应方法对尾涡结构进行跟踪和精细化计算。针对NREL PhaseⅥ型试验机进行模拟,得到了与实验结果吻合的流动形态及尾流结构演变规律,分析了尾流区速度演变规律并对比了不同亚格子湍流模型对计算结果的影响.     

1+1/2对转涡轮应用中的关键技术问题

本文对1+1/2对转涡轮应用的关键技术问题进行了探讨。分析表明,出功比SWR是衡量1+1/2对转涡轮技术 难度的特征参数。增加高压转叶出口气流角和马赫数是降低出功比的两条现实途径。关于高压转叶与低压转叶非定常作用 的分析和理解将是1+1/2对转涡轮成功的关键。     

风力机叶片气动噪声的影响参数*

随着风力机的大型化，风电机组对环境的影响不容忽视，必须对风力机气动噪声进行预测和控制。选取基于NACA、DU翼型的某风力机叶片作为研究基准，采用修正BPM半经验模型计算叶片的气动噪声特性，通过改变翼型族、弦长、机组运行状态、风切变指数、来流风向参数，研究叶片外形几何参数、机组运行工况对叶片气动噪声源的影响。计算结果从多个角度总结出水平轴风力机叶片气动噪声的变化规律，为开发高效低噪风电叶片提供参考。     

Visualization of the tip vortices in a wind turbine wake

Abstract  

In the present study, an experimental study was conducted to characterize the formation and the evolution of the helical tip vortices and turbulent flow structures in the wake of a horizontal axis wind turbine model placed in an atmospheric boundary layer wind. A high-resolution particle image velocimetry system was used to make detailed flow field measurements to quantify the time evolution of the helical tip vortices in relation to the position of the rotating turbine blades in order to elucidate the underlying physics associated with turbine power generation and fatigue loads acting on the wind turbines.     

开缝式风力机静态失速特性的研究

本文通过数值模拟的方法,研究了三种开缝方案对风力机静态失速特性的影响,模拟结果表明,开缝式风力机静态失速特性较为平坦,风力机开缝对静态失速进行控制的方法是可行的,由下风面到上风面开缝的方案在多冲角工况下有较好的静态失速特性.开缝结构的吸气口具有堵塞效应,排气口的排气会明显干涉来流的流动,因此开缝方向和开缝口处的形状对开缝效果的影响显著.