Computational analysis of fence-type vertical axis wind turbines array suitable for urban architecture integration

For a sustainable life on the planet, clean energy generation solutions have to be implemented as soon as possible. Wind energy is experiencing a spectacular evolution, with a 9% worldwide share and a 15% of the electricity demand in Europe. This scientific paper numerically investigates a solution that can be easily integrated into urban architecture, namely an array of vertical axis wind turbines arranged in the form of a fence side. The study of the unsteady flow was performed using Ansys Fluent CFD software. Two cases were analyzed, one in which the wind direction coincides with the clustering direction, while, the other in which the wind direction is perpendicular to the turbines clustering direction. The results post-processing emphasizes the interaction between the turbines by the influence that the vortices detached from one turbine can have on its counterparts. The vortices evolution for both cases, the variation of the torque coefficient for different values of tip speed ratio and the efficiency map for each case are thoroughly discussed. Future research directions are identified, mainly based on the development of an experimental model to be tested in the wind tunnel.