HARP_Opt (Horizontal Axis Rotor Performance Optimization) is a tool for rotor optimization. Aerodynamic performance is computed using CCBlade, a blade element momentum code with guaranteed convergence. Analytic gradients are provided for all components in the analysis so that gradient-based optimization can be used efficiently. A number of open-source and commercial optimizers can be used as made available through the OpenMDAO framework. While only basic aerodynamic performance is included in this version, the framework allows HARP_Opt to be integrated and expanded with other NREL System Engineering tools. These tools incluee rotor structural analysis, nacelle/drivetrain analysis, tower aero/structural analysis, and various cost models. These additional models are scheduled to be released later this year, and allow for more complete turbine optimization studies.
Author: S. Andrew Ning
Python, NumPy, SciPy, Fortran compiler
Install PyOpt by following these directions. Note that PyOpt is not strictly necessary for running HARP_Opt. However, it is highly recommended as it will give you access to a wider variety of optimizers, some of which are much better than what you can access by default.
Install and activate OpenMDAO as described here.
Install PyOpt as an OpenMDAO plugin
> plugin install --github pyopt_driver
Install HARP_Opt as an OpenMDAO plugin
> python setup.py install
(or python setup.py develop if you plan to make changes with the underlying implementation)
Test the setup by running the example
> python example/example.py
Create your own scripts by starting with a copy of example.py
Access documentation at http://andrewning.github.io/HARP_Opt