LAUSR

Abstract We have investigated the usage of a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma actuator to improve the aerodynamic performance of an offshore 6 MW wind turbine. By controlling the aerodynamic load combined with pitch angles of 2, 5, and 10 degrees, we studied the plasma actuator effect on the overall harvested power. Actuators were installed in single and tandem configurations in different chord-wise locations to find the optimum design. The improved phenomenological model developed by authors was used in an analysis to simulate the interaction of the electrostatic field, the ionized particles and the fluid flow. A design software was used to estimate the harvested power of the real 3D blade. Among seven cases studied, actuators closer to the leading edge performed better than others. We observed up to 95 kW harvested energy increment by optimization of location and configuration of actuators. Using a collective pitch angle of 10 degrees, one may harvest 10.03% or 11.42% more energy at wind speeds of 6 and 10 m/s, respectively. Using a three dimensional simulation of the flow field, results were verified. Also, variation of the separation zones for a pitch angle of 5 degrees, with and without the plasma actuators were analyzed.