Effect of the Reynolds number on the aerodynamic characteristics of a horizontal axis wind turbine

In this paper, we are interested in studying of the effect of Reynolds number on the aerodynamic characteristics of a horizontal axis wind turbine equipped by three adjustable blades of the Göttingen 188 airfoil. Particularly, we are interested to different aerodynamic regimes defined by the Reynolds numbers equal to Re=165093, Re=194350, Re=217338, Re=242415, Re=257044 and Re=265403. To achieve this, an open wind tunnel has been used to determine the global characteristics of the wind turbine. The determined results consist of the recovered power, the exerted torque on the rotor in static and in dynamic modes as well as power coefficient and torque coefficient. This work is developed at Laboratory of Electro-Mechanic Systems (LASEM) of the National School of Engineers of Sfax (ENIS).