Wind Tunnel Testing of Wind Turbines

Credits:

4 ECTS

Instructors:

Carlo L. Bottasso, Franz Mühle, Simone Tamaro

Content:

The course goal is to introduce students to the methods and techniques used for conducting experimental measurements in a wind tunnel, with application to wind energy systems. After an overview on wind tunnels and measurement techniques and equipment, students will learn how to design models of wind turbines. The course will illustrate the process of scaling down a large wind turbine into a small scale model, its aerodynamic and electro-mechanical design, as well as the design of its onboard sensors and data acquisition system. Students will work on a practical assignment, where they will learn how to process actual measurements obtained in wind tunnel experiments, analyzing wind turbine performance, wake behavior and other quantities of interest.

Learning Outcomes:

After successfully completing the course, students will have a basic understanding of wind tunnels and of the measurement techniques used in wind tunnel experiments. Furthermore, students will have a general understanding of the use of scaled models for wind energy applications, and of their design and operation. After the completion of the course, MSc thesis projects may be offered to interested students.

Learning Activities:

• Lectures
• Visit to labs and wind tunnel
• Matlab/python exercises
• Wind tunnel experiment
• Data processing

Course Material:

Course material will be provided by the instructor.  

Additional recommended literature:

• T. Burton, N. Jenkins, D. Sharpe, E. Bossanyi, Wind Energy Handbook, Wiley, 2011.
• J. F. Manwell, J.G. McGowan, A.L. Rogers, Wind Energy Explained, Theory, Design and Application, Wiley, 2012.

Registration:

This course will not be offered in Summer Semester 2020.