Noise Emission of a 200 kW Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Wind Booster Optimization for On-Site Energy Generation Using Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines

Large cities have a significant area of buildings with roofs that are not used most of the time. Vertical-axis wind turbines are suitable for this kind of on-site renewable energy generation. Since wind speeds are not high in these cities, a suitable solution to improve energy generation is to add a Wind Booster. This paper presents a methodology useful for selecting and optimizing the main components of a Wind Booster. As a case of study, we present this methodology in a Wind Booster for a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) that considers the wind flow’s specific behavior in a particular city. The final Wind Booster design is state of the art and makes use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Design of Experiments (DOE) techniques. We experimented with the conditions of Mexico City, obtaining a 35.23% increase in torque with the optimized Wind Booster configuration. The results obtained show the potential of this methodology to improve the performance of this kind of system. Moreover, since wind behavior is very different in each city, our proposal could be beneficial for researchers looking to implement the best possible wind turbine in their locality.

Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Aerodynamic Noise in Small Wind Turbines

This paper presents an analysis of sound pressure levels through theoretical modeling and experimental validation in a 1 kW small wind turbine. The models used in the theoretical analysis are BPM (Brooks, Pope, and Marcolini) and BM (Brooks and Marcolini), where wind turbine blades are divided in sections, and each section has its own contribution with respect to the total emitted sound pressure level. The noise propagation study and its experimental validation were accomplished within the requirements of the standard IEC 61400-11 Ed.3 and the standard NOM-081-SEMARNAT-1994. The comparative study of theoretical and experimental results showed that the BPM and BM methods have a maximum error of 5.5% corresponding to the rated wind speed of 10 m/s. However, at low wind speeds, the theoretical models fit well to experimental data, for example, in the range from 5 to 8 m/s. The experimental data showed that the rotor’s aerodynamic noise is more evident at low wind speed, because under these conditions, environmental noise is much less than wind turbine noise. Finally, to prevent possible negative effects on people’s health, there is a recommended minimum and suitable distance between small wind turbine installations and buildings.

Insights into the Aeroacoustic Noise Generation for Vertical Axis Turbines in Close Proximity

We present Large Eddy Simulations and aeroacoustic spectra for three configurations of increasing flow complexity: an isolated NACA0012 airfoil, an isolated rotating vertical axis wind turbine composed of three rotating airfoils and a farm of four vertical axis turbines (with identical characteristics as the isolated turbine), which are located in close proximity. The aeroacoustic signatures of the simulated airfoil and the isolated turbine are validated using published numerical and experimental data. We provide theoretical estimates to predict tonal frequencies, which are used to identify the main physical mechanisms responsible for the tonal signature and for each configuration and enable the categorisation of the main tonal aeroacoustic sources of vertical axis turbines operating in close proximity. Namely, we identify wake, vortex, blade passing and boundary layer phenomena and provide estimates for the associated tonal frequencies, which are validated with simulations. In the farm, we observe non-linear interactions and enhanced mixing that decreases tonal frequencies in favour of larger broadband amplitudes at low frequencies. Comparing the spectrum with that of the isolated turbine, only the blade passing frequency and the boundary layer tones can be clearly identified. Variations in acoustic amplitudes, tonal frequencies and sound directivities suggest that a linear combination of sources from isolated turbines is not enough to characterise the aeroacoustic footprint of vertical axiswind turbines located in close proximity, and that farms need to be considered and studied as different entities.

An Assessment of Wind Energy Potential for the Three Topographic Regions of Eritrea

This paper presents the wind energy potential and wind characteristics for 25 wind sites in Eritrea, based on wind data from the years 2000–2005. The studied sites are distributed all over Eritrea, but can roughly be divided into three regions: coastal region, western lowlands, and central highlands. The coastal region sites have the highest potential for wind power. An uncertainty, due to extrapolating the wind speed from the 10-m measurements, should be noted. The year to year variations are typically small and, for the sites deemed as suitable for wind power, the seasonal variations are most prominent in the coastal region with a peak during the period November–March. Moreover, Weibull parameters, prevailing wind direction, and wind power density recalculated for 100 m above ground are presented for all 25 sites. Comparing the results to values from the web-based, large-scale dataset, the Global Wind Atlas (GWA), both mean wind speed and wind power density are typically higher for the measurements. The difference is especially large for the more complex-terrain central highland sites where GWA results are also likely to be more uncertain. The result of this study can be used to make preliminary assessments on possible power production potential at the given sites.

Wind Turbine Noise Prediction Using Random Forest Regression

Wind energy is one of the most widely used renewable energy sources in the world and has grown rapidly in recent years. However, the wind towers generate a noise that is perceived as an annoyance by the population living near the wind farms. It is therefore important to new tools that can help wind farm builders and the administrations. In this study, the measurements of the noise emitted by a wind farm and the data recorded by the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system were used to construct a prediction model. First, acoustic measurements and control system data have been analyzed to characterize the phenomenon. An appropriate number of observations were then extracted, and these data were pre-processed. Subsequently two models of prediction of sound pressure levels were built at the receiver: a model based on multiple linear regression, and a model based on Random Forest algorithm. As predictors wind speeds measured near the wind turbines and the active power of the turbines were selected. Both data were measured by the SCADA system of wind turbines. The model based on the Random Forest algorithm showed high values of the Pearson correlation coefficient (0.981), indicating a high number of correct predictions. This model can be extremely useful, both for the receiver and for the wind farm manager. Through the results of the model it will be possible to establish for which wind speed values the noise produced by wind turbines become dominant. Furthermore, the predictive model can give an overview of the noise produced by the receiver from the system in different operating conditions. Finally, the prediction model does not require the shutdown of the plant, a very expensive procedure due to the consequent loss of production.

Review on the Evolution of Darrieus Vertical Axis Wind Turbine: Large Wind Turbines

The objective of the current review is to present the development of a large vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) since its naissance to its current applications. The turbines are critically reviewed in terms of performance, blade configuration, tower design, and mode of failure. The early VAWTs mostly failed due to metal fatigue since the composites were not developed. Revisiting those configurations could yield insight into the future development of VAWT. The challenges faced by horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT), especially in the megawatt capacity, renewed interest in large scale VAWT. VAWT provides a solution for some of the immediate challenges faced by HAWT in the offshore environment in terms of reliability, maintenance, and cost. The current rate of research and development on VAWT could lead to potential and economical alternatives for HAWT. The current summary on VAWT is envisioned to be an information hub about the growth of the Darrieus turbine from the kW capacity to megawatt scale.

Wind Turbines from the Swedish Wind Energy Program and the Subsequent Commercialization Attempts – A Historical Review

This paper summarizes wind turbines of Swedish origin, 50 kW and above. Both the large governmental-funded prototypes from the early 1980s and following attempts to build commercial turbines are covered. After the 1973 oil crisis, a development program for wind turbine technology was initiated in Sweden, culminating in the early 1980s with the 2 and 3-MW machines at Maglarp and Näsudden. However, government interest declined, and Sweden soon lost its position as one of the leading countries regarding wind turbine development. Nevertheless, several attempts to build commercial wind turbines in Sweden were made in the following decades. Most attempts have, like the earlier prototypes, used a two-bladed rotor, which has become synonymous with the Swedish wind turbine development line. The current ongoing Swedish endeavors primarily focus on the niche-concept of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs), which is a demonstration of how far from the broad commercial market of Sweden has moved. Thus far, none of the Swedish attempts have been commercially successful, and unlike countries like Denmark or Germany, Sweden currently has no large wind turbine producer. Suggested reasons include early government interventions focusing on two-bladed prototypes and political disinterest, with wind power grants cut in half by 1985, and the domestic industry not being favored in government policies for deploying wind power.