Wind Energy: Testing & Calibration

DARcorporation has been offering aeronautical engineering software and consulting services since 1991. Over the years DARcorporation has developed a unique expertise in aerodynamic design of wind turbines. Our experience includes designing, building and testing Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) and Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT).

DARcorporation engineers have extensive knowledge and expertise in the design, analysis and testing of many wind energy devices, including horizontal axis wind turbines and vertical axis wind turbines.

Wind turbine designs are analyzed by CFD and FEA and verified by wind tunnel test and field test.

Our team of highly skilled aeronautical engineers can test and analyze models in subsonic and transonic flow regimes. We can conduct flow visualization tests on models and provide qualitative assessments. We will also analyze stability & control and drag data derived from wind tunnel tests. We can test models ranging from 6 inches to 6 feet, using in-house test stands fully integrated with cutting-edge data acquisition systems to collect data in all six degrees of freedom.

DARcorporation will plan and manage all aspects of modeling, testing and data analysis. We will provide the perfect liaison with wind tunnel model manufacturing companies and perform model accuracy inspection. We can perform the following tasks on many types of wind turbines (vertical axis, horizontal axis and innovative designs):

Aerodynamic Design of the Power Generating Surfaces

DARcorporation engineers can analyze your design or will design the blades and aerodynamic surfaces for you, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools.

Blade Analysis Using Blade Element Theory (BEM) Codes

DARcorporation engineers 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

DARcorporation will design or analyze the structure, whether it is made out of composites, metal or a combination of both. We will do analysis for strength, stiffness, flutter and overall system dynamics. We will select materials and provide layup schedules for composites.

Wind Tunnel Testing

Depending on model size and wind speed requirements, wind tunnel models are tested at The University of Kansas (KU) or Wichita State University (WSU). Either a small generator or an electronic brake in combination with a torque sensor is used to measure the power output of the model. When using a generator a resistor box is attached to simulate the load on the generator and to control the RPM. With the different RPM's and the torque a power curve can be constructed. DARcorporation developed a unique wall correction method to correct the data from the wind tunnel for wall effects. Necessary modifications and changes to the design can then be identified.

We will manufacture a scaled model of the wind turbine, select the generator and bearing systems and test your scaled wind turbine 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.

DARcorporation engineers 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.

Wind Turbine Prototype Testing

Full scale prototypes are installed at test sites throughout the country. DARcorporation engineers will create a test plan and test the turbine for performance over a period of time. This test bed will provide data such as wind speed and wind direction, RPM, power performance characteristics, accelerations and loads. Data is then analyzed and detailed power curves are constructed.

Calibration & Services

DARcorporation will calibrate your generator and determine the efficiency curves against rotational speed (rpm). This will tell you whether your generator is matched to your wind turbine.

The DARcorporation Advantage

Experience in the design, detailed analysis and building of prototypes gives DARcorporation a unique advantage over other companies, since we can go from initial design all the way through full size manufacturing. The unique tools developed for design and analysis make DARcorporation the best choice for any new wind turbine development. DARcorporation engineers can advise on what the best materials are for your design and what the best configuration is. We will work with you to design and optimize your wind turbine for performance, manufacturability and cost.

Proposal & Rates

Please Contact Dr. Willem Anemaat for additional information or a detailed proposal. We will need to know your requirements such as design wind speeds, design RPM, type of wind mill, power output required and any other information you can share. We will write a detailed proposal with statement of work, showing tasks, cost and calendar time. This will be provided at no cost or obligation.

Sample Projects:

Hi-Q Wind Turbine
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
Windy II Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Download Brochures (pdf):

• Wind Energy: Aerodynamic Design & Testing
• Wind Energy Consulting Services: Structural Design
• Wind Energy: Prototyping & Testing
• Wind Energy: Design, Testing & Analysis
• DARcorporation & Wind Mills
• Statement of Work

Magazine Articles:

Wind Today 4Q 2009: Industry Focus DARcorporation