Comparisons between the Wake of a Wind Turbine Generator Operated at Optimal Tip Speed Ratio and the Wake of a Stationary Disk

Abstract EN

The wake of a wind turbine generator (WTG) operated at the optimal tip speed ratio is compared to the wake of a WTG with its rotor replaced by a stationary disk.

Numerical simulations are conducted with a large eddy simulation (LES) model using a nonuniform staggered Cartesian grid.

The results from the numerical simulations are compared to those from wind-tunnel experiments.

The characteristics of the wake of the stationary disk are significantly different from those of the WTG.

The velocity deficit at a downstream distance of 10D (D: rotor diameter) behind the WTG is approximately 30 to 40% of the inflow velocity.

In contrast, flow separation is observed immediately behind the stationary disk (≤2D), and the velocity deficit in the far wake (10D) of the stationary disk is smaller than that of the WTG.