Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Multi-Storey Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Abstract

When we focus on decreasing the dependency on traditional fossil fuels for generation of power and using renewable sources of energy up to its maximum limit, wind energy possess the potential to be used for electricity generation. Vertical Axis Wind Turbine has been chosen as the model to study, considering its advantages over Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine. The only problem with VAWT is a low self-starting tendency, which can be solved by using a Multi Storey Turbine. In order to produce a considerable amount of energy, the sizes of the turbine are notably large which makes it necessary taking into account, the interaction between fluid and structure during design and analysis of the structure. The current research focuses on Fluid-Structure Interaction analysis of the Vertical Axis Wind Turbine numerically, employing the RANS approach with the κ-ω SST model. In this research, the effects of the fluid motion on and around the turbine have been studied. The approach used for the Fluid-Structure Interaction is One Way. Here, deformations in the structure due to the fluid flow are quite negligible, which make the use of One Way approach more appropriate. The effects of fluid flow on various parameters were analyzed. Having used One Way approach, various loads which cannot be determined individually are calculated by CFD analysis thus providing the load on each element due to the fluid. It was found that the induced stress, deformation and strain are well below the ultimate values which ensured the safe working of the turbine for prescribed wind loads.