On the energy green route

CFD modelling in 3D is essential to the development of ducted wind turbines built into buildings – which could be a better way of harnessing wind energy than simply placing turbines on roofs. As the airflows they harness are enhanced and greatly affected by the buildings in which they are mounted, it is only possible to optimise the turbine design, and its positioning on the buildings, if the airflow against and over building, and through the turbine, is modelled as a whole. Professor David Infield, of the University of Strathclyde, says that ducted turbines within the upper parts of buildings are an attractive idea, because they cannot get blown off. And they can take advantage of the ‘blocking’ effect of the building, so that additional airflow over and above that available in free space is forced through them. His study was undertaken using Ansys CFX and showed the results of modelling a cylindrical rotor, located on the top of a flat-roofed office building.