Tip loss corrections for wind turbine computations

Abstract

As an essential ingredient in the blade element momentum theory, the tip loss effect of rotors plays an important role in the prediction of wind turbine performance. Various tip loss corrections based on the Prandtl tip loss function are analysed in the article. Comparisons with measurements and theoretical analyses show that existing tip loss correction models are inconsistent and fail to predict correctly the physical behaviour in the proximity of the tip. A new tip loss correction model is proposed that remedies the inconsistency. Comparisons between numerical and experimental data show that the new model results in much better predictions of the loading in the tip region. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.