Effect of Pitch Parameters on Aerodynamic Forces of a Straight-Bladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbine with Inclined Pitch Axes

Pitch regulation plays a significant role in improving power performance and achieving output control in wind turbines. The present study focuses on a novel, pitch-regulated vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) with inclined pitch axes. The effect of two pitch parameters (the fold angle and the incline angle) on the instantaneous aerodynamic forces and overall performance of a straight-bladed VAWT under a tip-speed ratio of 4 is investigated using an actuator line model, achieved in ANSYS Fluent software and validated by previous experimental results. The results demonstrate that the fold angle has an apparent influence on the angles of attack and forces of the blades, as well as the power output of the wind turbine. It is helpful to further study the dynamic pitch regulation and adaptable passive pitch regulation of VAWTs. Incline angles away from 90 degrees lead to the asymmetric distribution of aerodynamic forces along the blade span, which results in an expected reduction of loads on the main shaft and the tower of VAWTs.

Automated summary

The study investigates the impact of two pitch parameters on the performance of a straight-bladed VAWT. Results show that the fold angle significantly affects the angles of attack and forces of the blades, while the incline angle leads to an asymmetric distribution of aerodynamic forces, reducing loads on the main shaft and tower of VAWTs.