Estimation of blade loads for a variable pitch vertical axis wind turbine from particle image velocimetry

This paper presents the flow fields and aerodynamic loading of a two bladed H-type vertical axis wind turbine with active variable pitch for load and circulation control. Particle Image Velocimetry is used to capture flow fields at six azimuthal positions of the blades during operation, three upwind and three downwind. Flow phenomena such as dynamic stall and tower shadow are captured in the flow fields. The phase-averaged velocity fields and their time and spatial derivatives are used to calculate the normal and tangential loading at each position for each pitching configuration using the Noca formulation of the flux equations. The results show the effect of load shifting from the upwind to downwind region of the actuator using pitch and the effects of dynamic stall on the blades. The results also provide an unique database for model validation.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the flow fields and aerodynamic loading of a two-bladed H-type vertical axis wind turbine with active variable pitch for load and circulation control. Using Particle Image Velocimetry, flow fields at different azimuthal positions of the blades during operation were captured, providing insight into phenomena such as dynamic stall and tower shadow. The results demonstrate the impact of load shifting from the upwind to downwind region using pitch control, as well as the effects of dynamic stall on the blades, while also serving as a unique database for model validation.