Aerodynamic analysis of a small-scale Savonius wind turbine incorporated with wind lenses: A CFD approach for wake pattern and power prediction

Abstract

CFD investigation is conducted in the present study to analyse the effect of wind lenses on the aerodynamic performances of a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT). the case of a 2D Savonius bi- blade is considered, where different configurations of wind lenses are studied and compared. To simulate the fluid flow over a rotating wind turbine, unsteady 2D numerical computations are carried out to solve the Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations (URANS), where the turbulence is modeled by the SST k−ω model. The results demonstrate an increase in the power coefficient across various tip speed ratios when wind lenses are utilised. Additionally, the study analyses the wake patterns generated by both conventional open turbines and turbines integrated with wind lenses.