Windy II Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
DARcorporation engineers were involved with the aerodynamic and structural design of the Windy II Vertical Axis Wind Turbine.
Two-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) trade studies were conducted to see the effect of number of blades and the profile of the blades. Three-Dimensional CFD cases followed the Two-Dimensional CFD analyses. The performance characteristics were extracted from the Three-Dimensional CFD runs.
The Windy II Vertical Axis Wind Turbine is a state-of-the-art vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). The Windy II VAWT is installed at the H-E-B retail support center in Weslaco, Texas. It is functional and generating electricity, and operating at speeds as low as four miles per hour, marking a historic milestone in accessible renewable energy.
DARcorporation engineers tested a scaled model of the wind turbine in the wind tunnel at the University of Kansas. The results were post processed and scaled up to the full scale. DARcorporation engineers were also involved with the structural analysis of the wind turbine. A Finite Element model was created and various load cases were analyzed. Layup schedules were determined based on the results from these simulations. Normal modes and frequency response of the wind turbine along with the tower was analyzed.
Wind Energy Corporation, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is a pioneer of wind harvesting solutions for the untapped commercial and community market. Their groundbreaking research gathering highly detailed wind speed and gust data is enabling applications and sites never before even considered. The unique wind sail design of their turbines provides robust, scaleable systems, allowing easy integration into customers' new or existing facilities.