Wind tunnel study on power output and yaw moments for two yaw-controlled model wind turbines

Abstract

In this experimental wind tunnel study the effects of intentional yaw misalignment on the power production and loads of a downstream turbine are investigated for full and partial wake overlap. Power, thrust force and yaw moment are measured on both the upstream and downstream turbine. The influence of inflow turbulence level and streamwise turbine separation distance are analyzed for full wake overlap. For partial wake overlap the concept of downstream turbine yawing for yaw moment mitigation is examined for different lateral offset positions.

Results indicate that upstream turbine yaw misalignment is able to increase the combined power production of the two turbines for both partial and full wake overlap. For aligned turbine setups the combined power is increased between 3.5% and 11% depending on the inflow turbulence level and turbine separation distance. The increase in combined power is at the expense of increased yaw moments on both the upstream and downstream turbine. For partial wake overlap, yaw moments on the downstream turbine can be mitigated through upstream turbine yawing. Simultaneously, the combined power output of the turbine array is increased. A final test case demonstrates benefits for power and loads through downstream turbine yawing in partial wake overlap. Yaw moments can be decreased and the power increased by intentionally yawing the downstream turbine in the opposite direction.