The background for the project initiated in 2007 was a discussion and assessment in the project group of the uncertainties and shortcomings related to the reliable design of MW turbines. The most important issue is that the derivation of 3D airfoil data from 2D wind tunnel data still introduces uncertainty and conservatism in the rotor design process although different empirical correction methods have been developed.
Objectives
The overall objective of the project has been to provide an experimental basis that can improve our knowledge of a number of fundamental aerodynamic, aeroelastic and aeroacoustic issues and in general improve the design basis for MW rotors. Specifically the experiments were designed to provide new insight into:
- Correlation between 2D and 3D airfoil characteristics
- Boundary layer transition characteristics in 2D wind tunnel flow environment compared with full scale 3D rotor flow transition characteristics
- Inflow characteristics (shear and turbulence) on MW rotors with particular focus on the high frequency content dynamic induction characteristics
- Wake flow characteristics pressure fluctuations in the boundary layer influencing turbulent inflow noise and trailing edge noise
Approach
The selected experimental approach has been to carry out a number of coordinated, innovative measurements on full scale MW rotors as well as on airfoils for MW turbines in wind tunnels. Three type of measurements have been performed:
- Measurement on 2D airfoil sections in three wind tunnels; at Delft University (NL), at LM Wind Power (DK) and at Velux (DK)
- Measurement of inflow characteristics on the 3.6 MW Siemens wind turbine at the Høvsøre test site (DK)
- Pressure and inflow measurements (including high frequency kHz data) on one of the blades (LM 38.8 m blade) on the NM80 2 MW turbine at the small Tjæreborg Wind farm in Jutland (DK)
Collaboration
The project is a collaboration between DTU Wind Energy and the industrial partners LM Wind Power, Siemens Gamesa Wind Power, Vestas Wind Systems A/S and finally the utility company Ørsted.
Funding
1/3 of the project is funded by the Danish Energy Research programme EFP-2007 under contract no.: 33033-0074
2/3 of the project are funded by Risø DTU and the collaborating companies
Outcome
The project was followed by the project "DANAERO MW II: Influence of atmospheric and wake turbulence on MW turbine performance, loading and stability". The project carried out from 2010-2013 was partly funded by EUDP2009-II and partly funded by the project partners (Vestas Wind Systems, LM Wind Power, Siemens Wind Power, DTU Wind Energy) themselves.
Recently in 2018, the DanAero data base is now made accessible for researchers outside the project group. This is conducted within the IEA Task 29 IV framework and researchers from countries participating in IEA Task can access the data base.