S051023 Influence of Solidity on Performance of Stand-Alone System using Straight-Wing Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Abstract

The influence of solidity on performance of a stand-alone system using a straight-wing vertical axis wind turbine is analyzed through a numerical simulation. The specifications of the straight-wing vertical axis wind turbine based on the solidity and rated electric power are determined through a strength calculation employing an aerodynamic load analysis. This is because the consideration of not only output characteristics of wind turbines but also strength to extremely high winds are indispensable for the appropriate design. The numerical simulation on the system performance under an annual wind condition shows that with the decrease in the solidity, the capacity factor expressing a power generation capability is improved; however the damage equivalent fatigue load is also increased. As a result, a trade-off between the power generation performance and the fatigue load that are influenced by the solidity is revealed.