2-D-CFD Analysis of the Effect of Trailing Edge Shape on the Performance of a Straight-Blade Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

This paper numerically investigates the effect of the trailing edge profile on the performance of the straight-blade vertical axis wind turbine (SB-VAWT). In a 2-D cross-section of the SB-VAWT model, four trailing edge profiles are investigated, namely sharp, rounded, S-blunt, and R-blunt. The numerical investigation is based on the unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations combined with the transition shear stress transport (SST) model in order to account for the transition in the boundary layer in the vicinity of the airfoils. It has been found that the trailing edge profile may play a significant role in improving the turbine performance and should be accurately accounted for in the design process of the SB-VAWT.