Offshore Counter-rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

VAWT_offshore:otman1 — **Photo:** Rechargenews

The project investigates the performance of paired vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) using high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to optimize offshore wind farm energy density. The research aims to identify optimal turbine configurations for improved efficiency and sustainability.

About Project

Background
The demand for renewable energy has accelerated the development of offshore wind turbines, made possible by suitable offshore locations and advancements in wind technology. Offshore wind energy offers several advantages over onshore installations, including higher wind speeds, larger turbine capacities, and fewer visual and noise impacts on nearby communities. This project focuses on optimizing offshore wind farm performance using high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to study paired vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs), aiming to enhance energy capture and contribute to more efficient and sustainable wind energy solutions.
Objectives
In collaboration with the University of Bergamo, this project aims to conduct a comprehensive numerical study to investigate the performance of paired vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) and their wake development to optimize offshore wind farm energy density. The study employs high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods to simulate and analyze complex aerodynamic interactions between the turbines. By leveraging these advanced models, the project seeks to identify optimal configurations and placements of VAWT pairs, enhancing overall energy capture and efficiency in offshore wind farms. This research is expected to provide valuable insights for the design and deployment of more efficient and sustainable offshore wind energy solutions.
An important aspect of this project is to raise awareness about the advantages of VAWTs by offering master’s students from both universities the opportunity to conduct their final thesis in an international collaboration setting. By engaging students in this cross-border research effort, the project promotes knowledge exchange, skill development, and stronger academic partnerships, contributing to the global advancement and adoption of VAWT technology.

Participants

Nicoletta Franchina
Fixed term researcher at
University of Bergamo, Italy
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Otman KOUAISSAH
Postdoc Researcher
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Timeline

2023
Supervised masters thesis: Andrea Holm Jensen and Vincent Nordby Carmona (NMBU)): Title: Assessment of power enhancement in counter-rotating vertical-axis wind turbine pairs using CFD in 2D and 3D

Publications

A computational study on the performance and wake development of a tilted H-Shaped VAWT rotor

Otman Kouaissah, Nicoletta Franchina, Muhammad Salman Siddiqui, Giacomo Persico

This study conducts a comprehensive 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of a straight-blade H-shaped vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) operating in a tilted condition, typical for floating offshore platforms. The investigation focuses on the turbine's performance and wake development at peak power and off-design tip-speed ratios (TSRs), examining the impact of unsteady, three-dimensional flow structures. Key findings highlight how strut-induced flow, finite blade effects, and the tilted configuration significantly affect the turbine's aerodynamics and energy production.

3D CFD study of a DeepWind demonstrator at design, off-design and tilted operating conditions

O. Kouaissah, N. Franchina, G. Persico

High resolution 3D CFD simulations using URANS discretization to investigate a TroposkeinVAWT model in upright and tilted configuration. Numerical prediction of the near wake and physical reasoning on vortical structure development. Wake development is investigated. Large scale VAWT performance in comparison with small-scale one — Reynolds effective.