Building integration of stator-augmented PowerWindow, a linear cascade wind turbine

This study investigates power generation capacity of stator-augmented PowerWindow, a linear cascade wind turbine, when installed in through-building openings of a tall building. By employing a new approach, referred to as equivalent momentum sink method, the flow characteristics of the ducted flow, such as its pressure, velocity, and turbulence intensity are predicted when subjected to different wind directions in presence of a wind turbine. This study shows that a properly designed layout maintains the velocity in the through-building openings for a wide range of wind directions and enhances the power generation by 50%-80% in comparison with the free-stream wind turbine installed at the same elevation. This study also compares the power generation of stator-augmented PowerWindow with a conventional horizontal axis wind turbine, Ampair 300, installed in the same through-building openings. The results show that the power generation of the ducted stator-augmented PowerWindow is close to that of the ducted Ampair 300 in certain wind directions. However, it can also effectively generate power at those wind directions that the ducted Ampair 300 is unable to operate. The analysis shows that this advantage significantly increases the annual power generation probability of the building-integrated stator-augmented PowerWindow. As a case study, it is shown that by embedding four through-building openings integrated with stator-augmented PowerWindow in a tall building in Sydney area, a portion (0.55-8.07KW) of the electricity consumption of the building facilities can be supplied 72% of times.