This study presents a two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics analysis of a vertical-axis Savonius-type wind turbine under atmospheric conditions representative of an educational environment located in the Ecuadorian Andean region. Unlike previous studies conducted under sea-level meteorological conditions, this research is performed under high-altitude conditions (2723 m a.s.l.). The unsteady flow around the rotor was simulated using a two-dimensional approach based on the Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) equations, discretized with the finite volume method and coupled with the k–ω Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model. The rotor rotation was modeled using sliding mesh technique, employing a second-order implicit time scheme to ensure numerical stability and adequate temporal resolution. The numerical model was configured for a tip speed ratio of 0.8 and a wind speed of 3.9 m/s. The time step was defined based on a constant angular advancement of the rotor per time iteration, ensuring numerical stability and adequate temporal resolution. The aerodynamic torque was obtained by integrating the pressure and viscous forces acting on the blades, allowing the calculation of the mechanical power generated and the power coefficient. The results showed a periodic and stable torque behavior after the initial transient cycles, yielding an average torque of 0.7687 N·m and a mechanical power of 5.17 W, while the power coefficient reached a value of 0.2102. Analysis of the flow fields revealed the formation of a low-velocity wake downstream of the rotor, regions of high turbulent kinetic energy associated with periodic vortex shedding, and a significant pressure difference between the advancing and returning blades, confirming that turbine operation is dominated by drag forces. The numerical results were validated through comparison with previous studies, showing good agreement and demonstrating the reliability of the proposed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach. This study highlights the potential of Savonius turbines for low-power applications in urban and educational environments, as well as the usefulness of CFD as a tool for evaluating and optimizing their aerodynamic performance.

The present research, using finite element method simulation, studies the heat dissipation of a fin-type passive cooling system installed on monocrystalline photovoltaic panels under different environmental conditions associated with altitude. For this purpose, three scenarios at different altitudes were analyzed: Manta (14 m.a.s.l.), Puyo (926 m.a.s.l.), and Ambato (2724 m.a.s.l.). A model simulated using the finite element method, validated in a previous investigation, was used to simulate these three cases. The model was meshed, and the boundary conditions used were obtained from meteorological data averaged over one year. The variables used in this stage were irradiance, ambient temperature, and wind speed in the time range from 08:00 to 17:00. The numerical model used in the simulation considered the mechanisms of conduction in the panel layers, mixed convection toward the surrounding air, and thermal radiation from the exposed surfaces. The results show that, in the city of Ambato, the heat sink presents its best thermal performance. Under conditions of minimum ambient temperature and solar irradiance, a maximum percentage reduction of 3.11% in the photovoltaic panel temperature was obtained, while under conditions of maximum ambient temperature and solar irradiance, the reduction reached 11.11%. This reveals that, when higher panel temperatures occur, the heat sink exhibits better performance. In general, the results showed a reduction in temperature when this heat dissipation mechanism was used. It is evident that the effectiveness of these systems depends not only on geometry or materials, but also on the atmospheric conditions associated with altitude. It is concluded that the heat dissipation capacity of passive cooling mechanisms is influenced by the meteorological conditions of the area, such as ambient temperature, solar irradiance, and wind speed, which may vary according to the altitude at which the system is located.