PREDICTION OF THE AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF HORIZONTAL AXIS WIND TURBINES IN CONDITION OF UNIFORM WIND

The classical momentum-blade element theory is improved by using the empirical formula while part of rotor blades enters into the turbulent wake state, and the performance of a horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) at all speed ratios can be predicted. By using an improved version of the so-called secant method, the convergent solutions of the system of two-dimensional equations concerning the induced velocity factors a and a’ are guaranteed. Besides, a solving method of multiple solutions for a and a’ is proposed and discussed. The method provided in this paper can be used for computing the aerodynamic performance of HAWTs both ofrlow solidity and of high solidity. The calculated results coincide well with the experimental data.