A New Modified Blade Element Momentum Method for Calculating the Aerodynamic Performance of a Wind Turbine in Yaw

Jiaying Wu, Zhenye Sun, Weijun Zhu, Shifeng Fu, Chang Xu and Wenzhong Shen ()
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Jiaying Wu: College of Electrical Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Zhenye Sun: College of Electrical Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Weijun Zhu: College of Electrical Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Shifeng Fu: College of Electrical Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Chang Xu: College of Renewable Energy, Hohai University, Chang Zhou 213200, China
Wenzhong Shen: College of Electrical Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-21

Abstract: The yaw state constitutes a typical operating condition for wind turbines. However, the widely used Blade Element Moment (BEM) theory, due to its adoption of planar disc assumptions, introduces certain computational inaccuracies in yaw conditions. This research aims to develop a new modified BEM method by replacing the momentum theory in traditional BEM with the Madsen analytical linear two-dimensional actuator disc model in order to enhance the accuracy in calculating the aerodynamic performance of yawed wind turbines. Two approaches are introduced to determine the variable parameters in the new modified model: one based on traditional BEM predictions in non-yaw conditions and the other using empirical values determined using experimental data. The new modified model is evaluated against experimental data, CENER FAST, and HAWC2 for the MEXICO rotor. From the comparisons, the new modified method demonstrates closer agreements with experimental values, particularly in the mid and outer parts of the blades. At a wind speed of 15 m/s and a yaw angle of 30°, the discrepancies between computation and measurement are reduced by at least 2.33, 1.22, and 3.25 times at spanwise locations of 60%Radius ( R ), 82% R , and 92% R , respectively, compared to CENER FAST or HAWC2, demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed methodology.

Keywords: wind turbine; yawed condition; blade element momentum theory; MEXICO rotor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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