Influence of the dimensions of a venturi-shaped roof on its wind energy potential

As a result of an increasing environmental awareness, in combination with the depletion of fossil fuels, there is a need for transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar power and wind energy. Wind energy is a clean and viable renewable energy source with a large potential and is therefore subject of an increasing number of studies. This paper presents validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of the wind flow through a venturi-shaped roof to assess the wind energy potential of five vertical axis wind turbines located in the venturi-shaped roof. The influence of the roof geometry has been studied in order to assess the highest possible wind speed amplifications inside the contraction of the roof. The CFD simulations showed that the wind speed amplification factors can become as high as 2.02 for a contraction ratio b/c = 15. The total amount of resulting yearly wind energy potential for a contraction ratio of b/c = 15 is estimated at 10,745 kWh.