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Optimal blade pitch control for enhanced vertical-axis wind turbine performance

Author

Listed:
  • Sébastien Le Fouest

    (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL))

  • Karen Mulleners

    (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL))

Abstract

Vertical-axis wind turbines are great candidates to enable wind power extraction in urban and off-shore applications. Currently, concerns around turbine efficiency and structural integrity limit their industrial deployment. Flow control can mitigate these concerns. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the potential of individual blade pitching as a control strategy and explain the flow physics that yields the performance enhancement. We perform automated experiments using a scaled-down turbine model coupled to a genetic algorithm optimiser to identify optimal pitching kinematics at on- and off-design operating conditions. We obtain two sets of optimal pitch profiles that achieve a three-fold increase in power coefficient at both operating conditions compared to the non-actuated turbine and a 77% reduction in structure-threatening load fluctuations at off-design conditions. Based on flow field measurements, we uncover how blade pitching manipulates the flow structures to enhance performance. Our results can aid vertical-axis wind turbines increase their much-needed contribution to our energy needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Sébastien Le Fouest & Karen Mulleners, 2024. "Optimal blade pitch control for enhanced vertical-axis wind turbine performance," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-46988-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46988-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    4. Belabes, Belkacem & Paraschivoiu, Marius, 2021. "Numerical study of the effect of turbulence intensity on VAWT performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    5. Rezaeiha, Abdolrahim & Kalkman, Ivo & Blocken, Bert, 2017. "Effect of pitch angle on power performance and aerodynamics of a vertical axis wind turbine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 132-150.
    6. Dupont, Elise & Koppelaar, Rembrandt & Jeanmart, Hervé, 2018. "Global available wind energy with physical and energy return on investment constraints," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 322-338.
    7. J. K. Lundquist & K. K. DuVivier & D. Kaffine & J. M. Tomaszewski, 2019. "Publisher Correction: Costs and consequences of wind turbine wake effects arising from uncoordinated wind energy development," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 4(3), pages 251-251, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hao, Wenxing & Abdi, Abdulshakur & Zhang, Lihui & Li, Chun & Wu, Fuzhong & Mao, Qianyu, 2024. "Performance and mechanism of adaptive pitch control in a floating vertical axis wind turbine with a surge motion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).

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