Constant speed/pitch rotor operation lacks adequate theory for predicting peak and post-peak power. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify how measured blade element performance characteristics from the Phase VI NASA Ames wind tunnel test of a two-bladed, tapered, twisted rotor relate to the prediction of peak and post-peak rotor power. The performance prediction code, NREL’s Lifting Surface Prescribed Wake code (LSWT), was used to study the flow physics along the blade. Airfoil lift and drag coefficients along the blade were derived using the predicted angle of attack distribution from LSWT and Phase VI measured normal and tangential force coefficients. Through successive iterations, the local lift and drag coefficients were modified until agreement was achieved between the predicted and Phase VI measured normal and tangential force coefficients along the blade. This agreement corresponded to an LSWT angle of attack distribution and modified airfoil data table that reflected the measured three-dimensional aerodynamics. This effort identified five aerodynamic events important to the prediction of peak and post-peak power. The most intriguing event was a rapid increase in drag that corresponds with the occurrence of peak power. This is not currently modeled in engineering performance prediction methods.
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Peak and Post-Peak Power Aerodynamics from Phase VI NASA Ames Wind Turbine Data
Brandon S. Gerber,
Brandon S. Gerber
General Electric Company GE Energy, GTTC-100D P.O. Box 648 Greenville, SC 29602-0648
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James L. Tangler,
James L. Tangler
National Renewable Energy Laboratory National Wind Technology Center 1617 Cole Boulevard Golden Colorado 80401-3393
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Earl P. N. Duque,
Earl P. N. Duque
Northern Arizona University Mechanical Engineering Department P.O. Box 15600 Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5600
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J. David Kocurek
J. David Kocurek
Computational Methodology Associates 7007 Orchard Hill Ct., Suite 205 Colleyville, TX 76023-6623
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Brandon S. Gerber
General Electric Company GE Energy, GTTC-100D P.O. Box 648 Greenville, SC 29602-0648
James L. Tangler
National Renewable Energy Laboratory National Wind Technology Center 1617 Cole Boulevard Golden Colorado 80401-3393
Earl P. N. Duque
Northern Arizona University Mechanical Engineering Department P.O. Box 15600 Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5600
J. David Kocurek
Computational Methodology Associates 7007 Orchard Hill Ct., Suite 205 Colleyville, TX 76023-6623
Contributed by the Solar Energy Division of THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. Manuscript received by the ASME Solar Energy Division June 18, 2004; final revision November 23, 2004. Associate Editor: D. Berg.
J. Sol. Energy Eng. May 2005, 127(2): 192-199 (8 pages)
Published Online: April 25, 2005
Article history
Received:
June 18, 2004
Revised:
November 23, 2004
Online:
April 25, 2005
Citation
Gerber, B. S., Tangler, J. L., Duque, E. P. N., and Kocurek, J. D. (April 25, 2005). "Peak and Post-Peak Power Aerodynamics from Phase VI NASA Ames Wind Turbine Data ." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. May 2005; 127(2): 192–199. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1862260
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