U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

A simple solution method for the blade element momentum equations with guaranteed convergence

The approach described in this article allows for the use of one-dimensional root-finding algorithms for which very robust and efficient algorithms exist. It also discusses an appropriate arrangement of the equation and corresponding bounds for the one-dimensional searchintervals that bracket the solution and over which the function is well behaved. The result is a methodology for solving the BEM equations with guaranteed convergence and at a superlinear rate.

Ning, S. A.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Wind Plant Modeling & Simulation
Web