Wake skew angle variation with rotor thrust for wind turbines in yaw based on the MEXICO experiment

Abstract

The primary objective of the MEXICO (Model Experiments in Controlled Conditions) project

was to generate experimental data from which the uncertainties of the computational tools

employed to predict wind turbine performance and loads. Pressure sensors were used for

pressure measurements while PIV was used with the major aim of tracking the tip vortex

trajectory. The aerodynamic forces on the blades were derived found from the pressure

measurements and were used in an inverse free wake lifting line model to compute the

positions of the tip vortices. From these the wake skew angle was derived. A relationship

between the skew angle and the thrust coefficient was thus drawn.