Yaw analysis of a micro-scale horizontal-axis wind turbine operating in turbulent wind conditions

Building-mounted micro-wind turbines are capable of contributing a significant proportion of a building's energy needs. However, the introduction of this technology in built-up areas has been limited due to a number of issues, such as lower wind speeds, high turbulence and noise. This study presents an investigation into the effect of turbulence, which is more prominent in the built environment, on the operation of a micro-scale horizontal-axis wind turbine. For this purpose, an innovative method of sensing the yaw position of the wind turbine is required, which is discussed along with detailed methodology and the results obtained. The wind turbine used in the experiment uses a swing rudder system, and the effectiveness of this in turbulent conditions was also investigated. This study concluded that the wind turbine missed ~20% of the total power available in the wind and that the swing rudder system was suited to high wind speeds, while the fixed rudder suited to low wind speeds.