Numerical analysis of large-scale offshore vertical-axis wind turbine

Abstract

The new design of the Wind Energy Marine Unit (WEMU), a wind power plant with a large-scale, vertical-axis, water-supported rotor with rotary blades, is analyzed. The aerodynamic coefficients of the chosen blade airfoil are derived by a 3-D Navier-Stokes numerical simulation. The angles of the blades' rotation are calculated preliminarily and corrected after the simulation of flow through the turbine. Velocity maps and plots of blade torque are given. It is shown that the power coefficient comes close to the Betz limit. The WEMU's rated power capacity can be over 10 MW. © by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers.