Numerical simulation of a vertical axis wind turbine airfoil experiencing dynamic stall at high Reynolds numbers

•Dynamic stall simulation of a VAWT NACA0018 airfoil during Darrieus pitching motion.•Quantitative comparison of CFD modeling methods with experimental data.•Dynamic stall vortices develop and are shed from the airfoil trailing edge region.•Increasing the Reynolds number delays dynamic stall to greater angles of attack.