Startup Dynamics of Drag-Based Multibladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Abstract

A multibladed drag-based Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) was developed and its startup dynamics evaluated using wind tunnel tests. The experimental data obtained for the time-based angular position of the rotor shaft at Aberdeen’s average wind speed of 6 m/s show an initial rapid acceleration of the VAWT due to the drag force being exerted on the rotor blades. This acceleration becomes more gradual until the VAWT reaches its peak rotational speed of 85 rpm in 30 s, which corresponds to an operating tip speed ratio (TSR) of 0.42. The operating TSR of the VAWT was found to be 27% higher than previously reported in numerical studies.

Keywords

• vertical axis wind turbine
• startup dynamics
• multibladed rotor
• tip speed ratio
• wind tunnel test