The Aerodynamic Performance of Offshore Twin Vertical Axis Wind Turbines With Deflector

Abstract

A novel design of offshore twin counter-rotating vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) with deflector is proposed in this paper. We investigate the performance of the twin VAWTs by the two-dimensional computational fluid dynamic method with the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. Then, the performances of twin VAWTs with three kinds of deflectors are compared. The results show that installing the front deflector leads to significant improved aerodynamic performance. To better understand the simulation results, we introduce a simple and effective method to obtain the blade’s angle of attack. The mechanism of enhanced performance by deflector is pointed out, based on the information of the blade’s local angle of attack and flow field. Finally, a guideline on the design of deflector for the twin vertical axis wind turbines is provided.