Application of a Diffuser Structure to Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines

The effects of using a wind acceleration device (wind lens) with vertical-axis wind turbines in wind tunnel experiments were examined. A wind lens consists of a diffuser and flanges, and this study investigated the optimum parameters of their configuration with regard to the power augmentation of the turbines. The wind lens with a flat-panel-type diffuser demonstrated power augmentation by a factor of 2.0 compared with an open wind turbine. An increase from 5 to 20 degrees in the semi-open angle of the diffuser made it possible to generate a 30% high power output over a wide range of tip speed ratios. On that basis, an optimum semi-open angle was determined. For the flat-panel-type diffuser, a recommended diffuser length is the half of the throat width, and its semi-open angle is 20 degrees. The inlet enhanced power augmentation over a wide range of tip speed ratios. The optimum location for the wind lens in the streamwise direction was aligned with the center of the vertical-axis wind turbines. The diffuser with a curved surface was more effective regarding power augmentation than flat-panel-type diffusers. The wind lens with a curved surface diffuser demonstrated power augmentation by a factor of about 2.1 compared with an open wind turbine. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that a two-bladed wind turbine with symmetric NACA0024-type airfoils was most suitable for the incorporation of a wind lens to generate higher power output.