AERODYNAMIC INTERFERENCE OF VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINES IN ARRAY CONFIGURATION

This study investigates the performance and interaction of vertical axis wind turbines in an array farm. A series of experimental tests are performed to assess and compare the performance of two vertical axis wind turbines in an array configuration. Initially, a single wind turbine is analyzed to determine its standalone performance. Subsequently, another wind turbine is introduced in its wake to investigate the effect of the turbine wake and its interference on the downstream turbine. The spacing and overlap angle between the turbines are varied to predict the ideal wind farm configuration. It was observed that if the spacing between two turbines is more than eight times its diameter, the wake effects are negligible in terms of the turbine's power output. For an inline turbine array, as the distance between the turbines reduces, the performance of the downstream turbine also reduces. However, changing the overlap angle can positively affect the turbine performance. It was further observed that the downstream turbine performs better if placed at a distance of 3-Diameters from the upstream turbine. Variation in overlap angle showed performance enhancement of the downstream turbine when it is set at 30 degrees from the upstream turbine, such that the blade of the first turbine moving in the flow direction overlaps the returning blade of the downstream turbine. At optimum spacing and overlap angle, the power output of the downstream turbine is improved by 11%.