Wind Energy: Testing & Calibration
HAWT testing in The University of Kansas Low Speed Wind Tunnel.
Constructing the DARcorporation Wind Tunnel Insert.
Bergey XL.1 Wind Tunnel Model.
3-bladed HAWT Wind Tunnel Model.
DARcorporation wind tunnel insert under construction.
Small Wind Tunnel Model.
Small Wind Tunnel Model.
Small Wind Tunnel Model with Leading Edge Modification.
Wind Tunnel Test at the Walter H. Beech memorial Wind Tunnel at Wichita State University.
Wind Speed Anemometer.
Torque Sensor (red) and Generator (white).
Calibration of a WindBlue DC-540 Alternator. Torque, RPM, Voltage and Current are measured for different loads and different rotational speeds.
Generator on top of the KU Low Speed Wind Tunnel to measure power generated by a VAWT (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine) inside the tunnel.
Resistor bank used to measure voltage and current (and thus power) for a wind mill inside the KU wind tunnel.
Resistor bank for simulating electrical load on the generator.
Calibration of 100 Watt generator .
Calibration stand of small motor.
Bergey XL.1 Calibration of Generator.
Bergey XL.1 Calibration Stand.
Third generation resistor bank.
Ginlong 500 Watt Calibration Stand.
Wind Turbine Wind Tunnel Test at the University of Kansas.
Generator with emergency brake.
500 Watt Ginlong Generator.
Small Generator on top of University of Kansas Wind Tunnel..
DARcorporation engineers have extensive knowledge and expertise in the design, testing and analysis of many wind energy devices, including horizontal axis wind turbines and vertical axis windmills.
These designs are rigorously tested using advanced simulation methods and verified in the wind tunnel.
We use test stands that are specifically designed and tailored for wind tunnel testing and analysis of windmill blades. Each stand is fully integrated with data acquisition systems with real time visual feedback. It is capable of measurements in all six degrees of freedom.
We can perform the following tasks on many type of wind turbine (vertical axis, horizontal axis and exotic systems):
- Aerodynamic design of the power generating surfaces. We can analyze your design or will design the blades and aerodynamic surfaces for you, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes.
- Blade analysis using blade element theory codes. We have developed our own in-house software for fast and detailed analysis of more conventional blades. Using these types of codes are generally faster than using CFD.
- Structural design. We will design or analyze the structure, whether it is made out of composites, metal or a combination. We will do analysis for strength, stiffness, flutter and overall system dynamics. We can select materials and provide layup schedules for composites.
- Wind Tunnel Testing. We will manufacture a scale model of the windmill, select the generator and bearing systems and test your scale windmill in the wind tunnel, including storm conditions if needed. We will measure the aerodynamic torque and translate this into energy generated for different wind speeds. We will recommend design changes if needed.
- Calibration Services. We will calibrate your generator and determine the efficiency curves versus rotational speed (rpm). This will tell you whether your generator is matched to your windmill.
- Dynamics. We will perform dynamic startup so the effects of wind speed changes on your windmill energy generation can be captured.
Please Contact Dr. Willem Anemaat for additional information.
Wind Tunnel Testing Projects (Videos):
Wind Tunnel Test at the Walter H. Beech memorial Wind Tunnel at Wichita State University.
Wind Turbine Wind Tunnel Test at the University of Kansas.