Abstract
This paper studies the flow field and power generation from Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) arrays using an extension of the Actuator Cylinder Model that includes the viscous effects. The ideal spacing for two VAWT arrays is determined by solving the Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations with the Spalart-Allmaras (SA) turbulence model in ANSYS Fluent. Next, a third VAWT is introduced downfield and calculations are repeated to determine the ideal downfield distance for each spacing variation of the leading row of two turbines. Comparisons are made with an isolated vertical axis wind turbine. Differences in generated power are discussed.
Document Type
Final Report
Class Name
Mechanical Engineering and Material Sciences Independent Study
Date of Submission
4-27-2020
Recommended Citation
Schovanec, Cory and Agarwal, Ramesh K., "CFD Study of Wake Interactions from Multiple Vertical Axis Wind Turbines using Actuator Cylinder Theory" (2020). Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Independent Study. 118.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/mems500/118