Plate-shaped Vertical Axis Wind Turbine CFD Simulation, ANSYS Fluent Training

One kind of wind turbine is the Plate-shaped Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT), which has flat plate blades set up in a vertical axis shape. A plate-shaped VAWT uses flat plates to catch and use wind energy, similar to the Savonius wind turbine, which does the same thing with curved scoops. The design works well because it is simple and robust, so it can be used in many places, even cities where wind directions aren’t always reliable. This investigation is devoted to CFD simulation of a plate-shaped VAWT.

Simulation Process

The geometry is modeled using the Design Modeler, which establishes two main regions. One is dedicated to the rotating rotor and the other is a stationary extended domain around it. Like any other VAWT, the Sliding mesh module or so-called Mesh Motion simulates relative movement.

Post-processing

The complete aerodynamic performance of the plate-shaped Vertical Axis Wind Turbine is revealed by simulation results. Like those seen in Savonius turbines, the pressure and velocity streamlines show the turbine’s working mechanics. The required torque for rotation is produced by the development of high-pressure zones on the windward side of the flat plates and low-pressure zones on the leeward side when wind passes around them. The velocity streams illustrate effective wind capture and energy conversion with a clear pattern of accelerated flow between the plates and lower velocity zones behind them. These simulations demonstrate the potential of the plate-shaped VAWT for constant and dependable power generation even in variable wind conditions by confirming that it can efficiently capture wind energy from several directions.