Evaluation of a Blade Force Measurement System for a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Using Load Cells

Morgan Rossander, Eduard Dyachuk, Senad Apelfröjd, Kristian Trolin, Anders Goude, Hans Bernhoff and Sandra Eriksson
Additional contact information
Morgan Rossander: Division of Electricity, Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 534, 751-21 Uppsala, Sweden
Eduard Dyachuk: Division of Electricity, Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 534, 751-21 Uppsala, Sweden
Senad Apelfröjd: Division of Electricity, Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 534, 751-21 Uppsala, Sweden
Kristian Trolin: Division of Electricity, Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 534, 751-21 Uppsala, Sweden
Anders Goude: Division of Electricity, Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 534, 751-21 Uppsala, Sweden
Hans Bernhoff: Division of Electricity, Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 534, 751-21 Uppsala, Sweden
Sandra Eriksson: Division of Electricity, Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 534, 751-21 Uppsala, Sweden

Energies, 2015, vol. 8, issue 6, 1-24

Abstract: Unique blade force measurements on an open site straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine have been performed. This paper presents a method for measuring the tangential and normal forces on a 12-kW vertical axis wind turbine prototype with a three-bladed H-rotor. Four single-axis load cells were installed in-between the hub and the support arms on one of the blades. The experimental setup, the measurement principle, together with the necessary control and measurement system are described. The maximum errors of the forces and accompanying weather data that can be obtained with the system are carefully estimated. Measured forces from the four load cells are presented, as well as the normal and tangential forces derived from them and a comparison with theoretical data. The measured torque and bending moment are also provided. The influence of the load cells on the turbine dynamics has also been evaluated. For the aerodynamic normal force, the system provides periodic data in agreement with simulations. Unexpected mechanical oscillations are present in the tangential force, introduced by the turbine dynamics. The measurement errors are of an acceptable size and often depend on the measured variable. Equations are presented for the calculation of measurement errors.

Keywords: vertical axis wind turbine; blade force; measurement; wind power; tangential force; normal force; H-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: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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