Modeling the influence of streamwise flow field acceleration on the aerodynamic performance of an actuator disk
<p>Wind turbines operating in complex terrain can be subject to a background flow field that varies in the streamwise direction. This variation can influence the induced velocity at the turbine and thus also the power performance. In the present work, a simple model is derived for the situatio...
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| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Wind Energy Science |
| Online Access: | https://wes.copernicus.org/articles/10/1485/2025/wes-10-1485-2025.pdf |
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| author | C. P. Zengler N. Troldborg M. Gaunaa |
| author_facet | C. P. Zengler N. Troldborg M. Gaunaa |
| author_sort | C. P. Zengler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Wind turbines operating in complex terrain can be subject to a background flow field that varies in the streamwise direction. This variation can influence the induced velocity at the turbine and thus also the power performance. In the present work, a simple model is derived for the situation of an actuator disk (AD) operating in a background flow field featuring a constant streamwise velocity gradient. Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations of this scenario are performed, showing that a positive acceleration yields a reduction of induction, while a negative acceleration leads to an increase in induction. The new model accurately captures this behavior and significantly reduces the prediction error compared to classical momentum theory, where the effect of the background flow acceleration is disregarded. The model indicates that the maximum power coefficient and the corresponding values of the optimal induction and thrust coefficient depend on the flow acceleration. This possibly impacts optimal operational strategies under such conditions as well as wind turbine and wind farm design considerations, which often rely on the assumption of a streamwise uniform flow field.</p> |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7049abcdf8aa4fbca52fd5d32997a7b7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2366-7443 2366-7451 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Wind Energy Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-7049abcdf8aa4fbca52fd5d32997a7b72025-08-20T03:58:40ZengCopernicus PublicationsWind Energy Science2366-74432366-74512025-07-01101485149710.5194/wes-10-1485-2025Modeling the influence of streamwise flow field acceleration on the aerodynamic performance of an actuator diskC. P. Zengler0N. Troldborg1M. Gaunaa2Department of Wind and Energy Systems, Technical University of Denmark, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, DenmarkDepartment of Wind and Energy Systems, Technical University of Denmark, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, DenmarkDepartment of Wind and Energy Systems, Technical University of Denmark, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark<p>Wind turbines operating in complex terrain can be subject to a background flow field that varies in the streamwise direction. This variation can influence the induced velocity at the turbine and thus also the power performance. In the present work, a simple model is derived for the situation of an actuator disk (AD) operating in a background flow field featuring a constant streamwise velocity gradient. Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations of this scenario are performed, showing that a positive acceleration yields a reduction of induction, while a negative acceleration leads to an increase in induction. The new model accurately captures this behavior and significantly reduces the prediction error compared to classical momentum theory, where the effect of the background flow acceleration is disregarded. The model indicates that the maximum power coefficient and the corresponding values of the optimal induction and thrust coefficient depend on the flow acceleration. This possibly impacts optimal operational strategies under such conditions as well as wind turbine and wind farm design considerations, which often rely on the assumption of a streamwise uniform flow field.</p>https://wes.copernicus.org/articles/10/1485/2025/wes-10-1485-2025.pdf |
| spellingShingle | C. P. Zengler N. Troldborg M. Gaunaa Modeling the influence of streamwise flow field acceleration on the aerodynamic performance of an actuator disk Wind Energy Science |
| title | Modeling the influence of streamwise flow field acceleration on the aerodynamic performance of an actuator disk |
| title_full | Modeling the influence of streamwise flow field acceleration on the aerodynamic performance of an actuator disk |
| title_fullStr | Modeling the influence of streamwise flow field acceleration on the aerodynamic performance of an actuator disk |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modeling the influence of streamwise flow field acceleration on the aerodynamic performance of an actuator disk |
| title_short | Modeling the influence of streamwise flow field acceleration on the aerodynamic performance of an actuator disk |
| title_sort | modeling the influence of streamwise flow field acceleration on the aerodynamic performance of an actuator disk |
| url | https://wes.copernicus.org/articles/10/1485/2025/wes-10-1485-2025.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cpzengler modelingtheinfluenceofstreamwiseflowfieldaccelerationontheaerodynamicperformanceofanactuatordisk AT ntroldborg modelingtheinfluenceofstreamwiseflowfieldaccelerationontheaerodynamicperformanceofanactuatordisk AT mgaunaa modelingtheinfluenceofstreamwiseflowfieldaccelerationontheaerodynamicperformanceofanactuatordisk |