Effects of Non-Uniform Inflow on Aerodynamic Behaviour of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

Non-uniform and unsteady inflow into a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) brings about an asymmetric flow field on the rotor plane and an unsteady aerodynamic load on the blades. In the present paper effects of yawed inflow and wind shear are analyzed by an inviscid aerodynamic model based on the asymptotic acceleration potential method. In the analysis the rotor blades are represented by spanwise and chordwise pressure distribution composed of analytical first-order asymptotic solutions for the Laplace equation. As the actual wind field experienced by a HAWT is turbulent, the effects of the turbulence are also examined using the Veers' model.