Simulating the helix wake within an actuator disk framework

Abstract

Dynamic flow control strategies are raising interest for wake mitigation purposes. Among the different strategies, the so-called helix one relies on individual pitch control (IPC). The numerical simulation of the helix is thus readily performed by means of discrete-blade capturing methods. Yet, if this control strategy is considered at the scale of wind farms, the resolution required by such methods becomes prohibitive and actuator disk (AD) models should be envisioned. It is however not trivial to translate IPC strategies to an AD framework which by definition considers rotor-averaged effects. This work assesses the ability of an AD method to simulate the helix strategy by comparing it to a higher fidelity approach relying on a discrete-blade capturing model. Results show that the disk-type approach supplemented with a disk-adapted IPC scheme is able to capture both the forced motion of the wake at low turbulence and the faster wake recovery at moderate turbulence. From a quantitative perspective, the disk-type approach predicts bigger power gains, compared to those foreseen by the discrete-blade type approach, for a downstream turbine in the wake of a helix-operated one.