Development of a Numerical Characterization Method for a Ducted Savonius Turbine with Power Augmenters

Sebastian Brusca, Filippo Cucinotta, Antonio Galvagno, Felice Sfravara and Massimiliano Chillemi ()
Additional contact information
Sebastian Brusca: Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada Di Dio s.n.c., 98166 Messina, Italy
Filippo Cucinotta: Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada Di Dio s.n.c., 98166 Messina, Italy
Antonio Galvagno: Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada Di Dio s.n.c., 98166 Messina, Italy
Felice Sfravara: Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada Di Dio s.n.c., 98166 Messina, Italy
Massimiliano Chillemi: Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada Di Dio s.n.c., 98166 Messina, Italy

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-27

Abstract: Savonius turbines are widely used in energy recovery applications, including urban-integrated wind energy systems and Oscillating Water Column (OWC) setups for wave energy conversion. This study explores the use of a ducted Savonius turbine. Experimental tests were conducted on a scaled turbine to evaluate its performance. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFDs) model, incorporating Sliding Mesh and Dynamic Fluid Body Interaction (DFBI) techniques, was developed to replicate the experimental conditions. The accuracy of the model was confirmed through validation against experimental data. In total, four conditions were studied: one without a Power Augmenter, one with the Bell-Metha Power Augmenter, and two custom ones obtained by increasing the slope at the end of the Power Augmenters. To facilitate rapid turbine characterization, a fast computational method was developed, allowing the derivation of characteristic curves using only three CFD simulations per configuration. The reliability of this approach was assessed by comparing predictions with experimental results. Developing such a model is crucial, as it enables seamless integration with Reduced-Order Models (ROMs), significantly improving efficiency in evaluating multiple operating points. Compared to traditional experimental testing, this approach provides a faster and more efficient way to obtain performance insights, paving the way for enhanced turbine optimization and real-world deployment.

Keywords: Savonius; turbine; CFD; clean energy (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
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1142/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1142/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:5:p:1142-:d:1599941

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().