Performance prediction of a horizontal axis wind turbine using BEM and CFD methods

Abstract

In this study, a combination of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and BEM (Blade Element Momentum Method) methods are used to simulate the flow field around a wind turbine rotor with horizontal axis. The main objectives are to predict the aerodynamic performances such as forces and torque imposed on the rotor blades which are essential to its structure or design. This approach requires much less computing time and memory than three-dimensional simulation flow around the wind turbine rotor with simple CFD method. The flow is assumed unsteady, incompressible and fully turbulent. This work consists of two parts: -The Calculation of aerodynamic coefficients by the CFD method, using Ansys / Fluent software. -The Simulation of 3D flow field through the rotor of the wind turbine using the BEM method. The obtained results are in good agreement with the experimental measurements.