Blade-resolved modeling with fluid–structure interaction

Abstract

Blade -resolved simulations are a high-fidelity modeling tool that helps understand the fundamental flow physics that create loads on wind turbines. Along with fluid - structure interaction (FSI), they provide a foundation to improve the state-of-the-art aerodynamic models of modern wind turbines with large flexible blades and thus the design of the next generation of wind turbines. One of the most important parts of wind-turbine simulation is modeling the conversion of kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical energy using principles of aerodynamics. The hierarchies of aerodynamic models for wind turbines in increasing the order of complexity, cost, and fidelity are blade element momentum (BEM) theory (BEMT), vortex methods, actuator disc/line methods, and blade -resolved modeling.