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A numerical analysis of unsteady inflow wind for site specific vertical axis wind turbine: A case study for Marsabit and Garissa in Kenya

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  • Wekesa, David Wafula
  • Wang, Cong
  • Wei, Yingjie
  • Kamau, Joseph N.
  • Danao, Louis Angelo M.

Abstract

Most of the wind analysis studies have been conducted under steady wind conditions. The study of real unsteady wind environment, however, is still an open-ended research question. This is attributable to the existing aerodynamic complexities under such conditions. In this paper, therefore, a numerical approach to investigate wind energy potential under unsteady conditions was proposed. In carrying out the study, the wind characteristics for two rural-urban towns in Kenya, namely Marsabit (2°19′N, 37°58′E) and Garissa (0°28′S,39°38′E), were selected. A CFD analysis method was used to evaluate both unsteady wind inflow performance and the flow physics that affects the performance on a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT). Using the validated CFD model, unsteady wind simulations were performed and the results obtained compared with empirical methods. Compared to the prevailing methods, the proposed numerical approach is not only computationally inexpensive, but also robust in both steady and unsteady wind conditions. The numerical method demonstrates that Garissa station is unsuitable for grid-connected power generation, while Marsabit station is suitable for both grid-connected and stand-alone power generation activities. The study results will hopefully be of importance to the wind industries that require designs for wind turbines reflecting real unsteady wind environment.

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  • Wekesa, David Wafula & Wang, Cong & Wei, Yingjie & Kamau, Joseph N. & Danao, Louis Angelo M., 2015. "A numerical analysis of unsteady inflow wind for site specific vertical axis wind turbine: A case study for Marsabit and Garissa in Kenya," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 648-661.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:76:y:2015:i:c:p:648-661
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2014.11.074
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    6. Wekesa, David Wafula & Wang, Cong & Wei, Yingjie & Danao, Louis Angelo M., 2017. "Analytical and numerical investigation of unsteady wind for enhanced energy capture in a fluctuating free-stream," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 854-864.
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    15. Bangga, Galih & Dessoky, Amgad & Wu, Zhenlong & Rogowski, Krzysztof & Hansen, Martin O.L., 2020. "Accuracy and consistency of CFD and engineering models for simulating vertical axis wind turbine loads," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    16. Li, Qing’an & Maeda, Takao & Kamada, Yasunari & Murata, Junsuke & Shimizu, Kento & Ogasawara, Tatsuhiko & Nakai, Alisa & Kasuya, Takuji, 2016. "Effect of solidity on aerodynamic forces around straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine by wind tunnel experiments (depending on number of blades)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA), pages 928-939.
    17. Yanzhao Yang & Zhiping Guo & Qing Song & Yanfeng Zhang & Qing’an Li, 2018. "Effect of Blade Pitch Angle on the Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Straight-bladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Based on Experiments and Simulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, June.
    18. Chen, Jian & Yang, Hongxing & Yang, Mo & Xu, Hongtao & Hu, Zuohuan, 2015. "A comprehensive review of the theoretical approaches for the airfoil design of lift-type vertical axis wind turbine," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1709-1720.
    19. Peng, H.Y. & Lam, H.F., 2016. "Turbulence effects on the wake characteristics and aerodynamic performance of a straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine by wind tunnel tests and large eddy simulations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 557-568.
    20. Wu, Zhenlong & Bangga, Galih & Cao, Yihua, 2019. "Effects of lateral wind gusts on vertical axis wind turbines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 1212-1223.
    21. Liu, Kan & Yu, Meilin & Zhu, Weidong, 2019. "Enhancing wind energy harvesting performance of vertical axis wind turbines with a new hybrid design: A fluid-structure interaction study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 912-927.
    22. Jinghua Lin & You-Lin Xu & Yong Xia & Chao Li, 2019. "Structural Analysis of Large-Scale Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines, Part I: Wind Load Simulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-31, July.
    23. Romanic, Djordje & Parvu, Dan & Refan, Maryam & Hangan, Horia, 2018. "Wind and tornado climatologies and wind resource modelling for a modern development situated in “Tornado Alley”," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 97-112.
    24. Jeffrey E. Silva & Louis Angelo M. Danao, 2021. "Varying VAWT Cluster Configuration and the Effect on Individual Rotor and Overall Cluster Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-22, March.

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