Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Aerodynamics and Design

#engineering #educational #stem

In this video I show you how the aerodynamics of a (lift-type) vertical axis wind turbine work, and some of the design challenges and solutions of VAWT design.

01:47 Types of Darrieus/ lift-type vertical axis wind turbines
02:25 How to analyse helical and egg-beater shape VAWTs
03:14 Aerodynamic operating principle of a vertical axis wind turbine (simplified)
04:37 How the VAWT velocity triangle changes as the blade rotates
04:50 equations to find relative wind speed and angle of attack
04:53 Tangential force equation
05:58 Effect of tip speed ratio on VAWT blade stall
06:25 VAWT design challenges
06:34 Fatigue loading
06:59 Torque ripple
07:53 Design changes to overcome fatigue loading and torque ripple challenges
08:56 Effect of adding more blades
09:11 Helical blade design
09:34 VAWT blade pitch control
10:14 My opinion: Efficiency vs Complexity is a tradeoff
10:54 Niches where vertical axis turbines are better suited than horizontal axis turbines

For an overview of vertical axis wind turbines and the advantages and disadvantages compared to horizontal axis wind turbines see this video:
https://youtu.be/EM-gCvhQhPU

Further information on vertical axis wind turbines:
There is a section on VAWT aerodynamic design and analysis in the following text book:
Wind Energy Explained: Theory, Design and Application, 2nd Edition
James F. Manwell, Jon G. McGowan, Anthony L. Rogers
https://amzn.to/3as89sz
(affiliate link)

Wind Works by Paul Gipe - a very comprehensive wind energy resource (not just VAWT) including history and critical analysis of many commercial turbines:
http://www.wind-works.org/cms/index.php?id=116

Sandia research report: A retrospective of VAWT technology.
A summary of Sandia's VAWT research and development activities from the 1970s to 1990s. Describes in some detail all of the practical, commercial and design issues they faced. Highly recommended reading for anyone thinking about designing a VAWT.
https://energy.sandia.gov/wp-c....ontent/gallery/uploa



Thanks for watching the video Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Aerodynamics and Design