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Impact of zigzag tape on blade loads and aerodynamic wake in a vertical axis wind turbine: A Delft VAWT case study

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  • Rogowski, Krzysztof
  • Michna, Jan
  • Mikkelsen, Robert Flemming
  • Ferreira, Carlos Simao

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of zigzag tape on the aerodynamic performance and wake characteristics of the Delft Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT). The primary aim is to understand how the zigzag tape affects blade loads and the resulting aerodynamic wake. A comprehensive analysis was conducted using the Actuator Line Model (ALM) with airfoil characteristics measured in the wind tunnel at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Additionally, a 2-D CFD analysis with k-ω SST and γ-Reθ turbulence models were employed to evaluate the influence of laminar transition phenomena on rotor characteristics. Results indicate that while the zigzag tape linearizes the lift coefficient characteristic, it leads to a notable reduction in aerodynamic efficiency due to increased drag and decreased lift below the critical angle of attack. The simulations were performed at a tip-speed ratio (TSR) of 4.5 to avoid a dynamic stall, as this operating condition ensures that the rotor blades remain below the static stall threshold and large offshore VAWTs are designed to operate near their maximum aerodynamic efficiency (CP) for the majority of their operational time. The aerodynamic wake behind the rotor also shows significant changes, with the zigzag tape promoting asymmetry and affecting the wake recovery distance. The study’s findings highlight the importance of considering surface contamination effects, represented by zigzag tape, in evaluating VAWT performance and wake behavior, offering valuable insights for wind turbine design and optimization.

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  • Rogowski, Krzysztof & Michna, Jan & Mikkelsen, Robert Flemming & Ferreira, Carlos Simao, 2025. "Impact of zigzag tape on blade loads and aerodynamic wake in a vertical axis wind turbine: A Delft VAWT case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:321:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225009867
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135344
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rezaeiha, Abdolrahim & Montazeri, Hamid & Blocken, Bert, 2019. "Active flow control for power enhancement of vertical axis wind turbines: Leading-edge slot suction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    2. Krzysztof Rogowski, 2019. "CFD Computation of the H-Darrieus Wind Turbine—The Impact of the Rotating Shaft on the Rotor Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-17, June.
    3. Tescione, G. & Ragni, D. & He, C. & Simão Ferreira, C.J. & van Bussel, G.J.W., 2014. "Near wake flow analysis of a vertical axis wind turbine by stereoscopic particle image velocimetry," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 47-61.
    4. Luca Cacciali & Martin O. L. Hansen & Krzysztof Rogowski, 2024. "Highly Stable Lattice Boltzmann Method with a 2-D Actuator Line Model for Vertical Axis Wind Turbines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-20, September.
    5. Rezaeiha, Abdolrahim & Kalkman, Ivo & Blocken, Bert, 2017. "CFD simulation of a vertical axis wind turbine operating at a moderate tip speed ratio: Guidelines for minimum domain size and azimuthal increment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 373-385.
    6. Rezaeiha, Abdolrahim & Montazeri, Hamid & Blocken, Bert, 2019. "On the accuracy of turbulence models for CFD simulations of vertical axis wind turbines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 838-857.
    7. Lam, H.F. & Peng, H.Y., 2016. "Study of wake characteristics of a vertical axis wind turbine by two- and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 386-398.
    8. Huang, Ming & Ferreira, Carlos & Sciacchitano, Andrea & Scarano, Fulvio, 2022. "Wake scaling of actuator discs in different aspect ratios," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 866-876.
    9. Rezaeiha, Abdolrahim & Montazeri, Hamid & Blocken, Bert, 2018. "Towards optimal aerodynamic design of vertical axis wind turbines: Impact of solidity and number of blades," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(PB), pages 1129-1148.
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    1. Jan Michna & Maciej Śledziewski & Krzysztof Rogowski, 2025. "The Harmonic Pitching NACA 0018 Airfoil in Low Reynolds Number Flow," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-27, May.

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