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Wake characteristics and scalar transport equation for energy recovery analysis under different tip speed ratio conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Tang, Qinghong
  • Sun, Yifan
  • Wu, Yuxin
  • Zhao, Mengshang
  • Li, Changhua
  • Duan, Peiyao
  • Lyu, Junfu

Abstract

To analyze the quantitative characterization of energy recovery, a quantitative method of scalar transport equation is employed to characterize the process of wake energy exchange in wakes. The computational fluid dynamics with parameterized method actuator line model is performed to study wake features under various tip speed ratio conditions. Large velocity deficit and significant turbulence intensity appear under high tip speed ratio condition and velocity rapidly recovers in wakes. More intense vorticity and stronger vortex are induced after blade tip and nacelle on high tip speed ratio than low condition. The scalar transport equation was embedded into computational fluid dynamics solver to label the deficit energy and its recovery during solution. The solved scalar can reflect the energy state in wake and reveal the process of energy recovery quantitatively. Pearson correlation coefficient is 0.962 between scalar transport method and kinetic method. The wake energy recovers to approximately 60 % of the inflow energy at 8 rotor diameters downstream. The scalar transport method can calculate wake recovery rate quantitatively and reflect the spatial details of wake energy exchange intuitively. The scalar transport equation method can be used to improve power output by optimization of wind turbine layout or operating strategies. https://github.com/CAME-THU/Scalar-Transport-Model.git.

Suggested Citation

  • Tang, Qinghong & Sun, Yifan & Wu, Yuxin & Zhao, Mengshang & Li, Changhua & Duan, Peiyao & Lyu, Junfu, 2026. "Wake characteristics and scalar transport equation for energy recovery analysis under different tip speed ratio conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PF).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pf:s0960148125020737
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124409
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    References listed on IDEAS

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