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Intracycle angular velocity control of cross-flow turbines

Author

Listed:
  • Benjamin Strom

    (University of Washington)

  • Steven L. Brunton

    (University of Washington)

  • Brian Polagye

    (University of Washington)

Abstract

Cross-flow turbines, also known as vertical-axis turbines, are attractive for power generation from wind and water currents. Some cross-flow turbine designs optimize unsteady fluid forces and maximize power output by controlling blade kinematics within one rotation. One established method is to dynamically pitch the blades. Here we introduce a mechanically simpler alternative: optimize the turbine rotation rate as a function of angular blade position. We demonstrate experimentally that this approach results in a 59% increase in power output over standard control methods. Analysis of fluid forcing and blade kinematics suggest that power increase is achieved through modification of the local flow conditions and alignment of fluid force and rotation rate extrema. The result is a low-speed, structurally robust turbine that achieves high efficiency and could enable a new generation of environmentally benign turbines for renewable power generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Strom & Steven L. Brunton & Brian Polagye, 2017. "Intracycle angular velocity control of cross-flow turbines," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(8), pages 1-9, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:2:y:2017:i:8:d:10.1038_nenergy.2017.103
    DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2017.103
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    Cited by:

    1. Musa, Mirko & Hill, Craig & Guala, Michele, 2019. "Interaction between hydrokinetic turbine wakes and sediment dynamics: array performance and geomorphic effects under different siting strategies and sediment transport conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 738-753.
    2. Jiyong Lee & Mirko Musa & Chris Feist & Jinjin Gao & Lian Shen & Michele Guala, 2019. "Wake Characteristics and Power Performance of a Drag-Driven in-Bank Vertical Axis Hydrokinetic Turbine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Barnes, Andrew & Marshall-Cross, Daniel & Hughes, Ben Richard, 2021. "Towards a standard approach for future Vertical Axis Wind Turbine aerodynamics research and development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    4. 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.
    5. Jifeng Peng, 2018. "Effects of Aerodynamic Interactions of Closely-Placed Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Pairs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-13, October.
    6. Ji Hao Zhang & Fue-Sang Lien & Eugene Yee, 2022. "Investigations of Vertical-Axis Wind-Turbine Group Synergy Using an Actuator Line Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-22, August.

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