Power Curve Measuring of a Prototype Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

In accordance with global environmental concerns and with the increasing trend of wind energy generation worldwide, VSB - TU Ostrava has also decided to make its contribution to this potentially highly significant energy sector. Firstly, a model of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) rotor has been designed and analysed with CFD (Computer Fluid Dynamics) software and subsequently built from wooden plates. The main aim of this study is to measure the power curve of the VAWT. In the first phase, a measuring apparatus for the VAWT composed of a powder brake and dynamometer has been proposed and assembled. Later, the VAWT is to be measured in a wind tunnel where all the measuring devices are calibrated and first characteristics are to be established. After the measuring in a wind tunnel, the VAWT is to be measured in a real environment in order to obtain the required power curve. Both measurements are to be analyzed and evaluated and some results obtained. According to the results of the measurements, further processes will be planned. It is contemplated that upon the acquisition of solid results, the VAWT proposed in this study could be industrially manufactured as the next step of the R&D process. The work presented in this paper was carried out as a part of the project SGS FEI, VSB-TUO SP 2012/41.