<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This paper describes the development, design and function of a test rig for the measurement of small wind turbines in a wind tunnel and presents the first exemplary measurements of the performance characteristics of various horizontal and vertical rotors. A central part of this test rig is the developed control system with an electronic load, which enables an automated recording of the measured values for the evaluation of the power coefficients (c<sub>p</sub>) and tip-speed ratio (λ) values. Another challenge emerges owing to the known differences in the power spectrum, because the power coefficients of drag rotors (&lt;20%) are different from those of buoyancy rotors (&lt;40%). The system was adapted to the different ranges by means of a stepless switching using various resistors. The entire control and regulation unit was compactly implemented using a programmable logic controller (PLC) and dynamically linked to the operating parameters of the wind tunnel. This enables an automated operation of the wind tunnel during the determination of the performance parameters of the investigated wind turbines.</p>
</abstract>

This paper describes the development, design and function of a test rig for the measurement of small wind turbines in a wind tunnel and presents the first exemplary measurements of the performance characteristics of various horizontal and vertical rotors. A central part of this test rig is the developed control system with an electronic load, which enables an automated recording of the measured values for the evaluation of the power coefficients (cp) and tip-speed ratio (λ) values. Another challenge emerges owing to the known differences in the power spectrum, because the power coefficients of drag rotors (<20%) are different from those of buoyancy rotors (<40%). The system was adapted to the different ranges by means of a stepless switching using various resistors. The entire control and regulation unit was compactly implemented using a programmable logic controller (PLC) and dynamically linked to the operating parameters of the wind tunnel. This enables an automated operation of the wind tunnel during the determination of the performance parameters of the investigated wind turbines.

Development of a Test Rig for the Measurement of Small Wind Turbines in a Wind Tunnel

Acta Mechanica et Automatica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

This paper describes the development, design and function of a test rig for the measurement of small wind turbines in a wind tunnel and presents the first...

Development of a Test Rig for the Measurement of Small Wind Turbines in a Wind Tunnel

Published Online: Jul 11, 2023

Page range: 390 - 394

Received: Oct 05, 2022

Accepted: Feb 07, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ama-2023-0044

Keywords
wind tunnel testing, small wind turbine, performance measurement

© 2023 Heiko Meironke et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Development of a Test Rig for the Measurement of Small Wind Turbines in a Wind Tunnel

Published Online: Jul 11, 2023

Page range: 390 - 394

Received: Oct 05, 2022

Accepted: Feb 07, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ama-2023-0044

Keywordswind tunnel testing, small wind turbine, performance measurement

© 2023 Heiko Meironke et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
wind tunnel testing, small wind turbine, performance measurement