TWIN MODEL VAWT-ROTORS FOR RESEARCH INTO INTERACTION OF CLOSELY-SPACED VERTICAL-AXIS WIND TURBINES

A set of matching contra-rotating VAWTs needed to be manufactured to study the interaction between the turbines as they are positioned close to each other.
In certain positions, the interaction of the rotors caused them to sync up and produce more power than twice the rotors individually.
To achieve this, two identical rotors had to be build that could operate reliably at 1800RPM, with a minimum weight.
The rotors were constructed in carbon/aramide-composite in a multi-part aluminium mold and tested to failure to proof them.
They were then used in wind tunnel experiments in the Von Karman institute and the large windtunnel of the Milan Polytecnico.

Twin rotor experimental setup at in the large windtunnel of the politecnico Milano.
Dimensions: H 100cm x D 50cm
RPM: 1800
Load on rotors at 1800RPM: 2500N
Carbon fiber & aramid fiber composite
Tolerances on geometry: +-0.05mm
Geometry: Tim De Troyer / Mark Runacres
Strength analysis and lamination design: Lieven Standaert
Aluminium mold & composite layup, rotor assembly: Lieven Standaert