Simulations of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines in complex operational conditions

A CFD/CSD coupling analysis code rFlow3D, developed in Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) originally for rotorcraft, has been applied to predict the airflows around horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) and validated with existing experimental data. It is used to simulate the flowfield around HAWTs in realistic complex operating conditions, such as yawed wind, atmospheric boundary layer inflow, rotor/tower interaction, and in the wake of an upstream HAWT. This paper will describe the results of the simulations for these representative complex flowfield around HAWTs.