Optimization of wind Turbine blade design using wind tunnel testing

related to wind energy engineering, Renewable energy sources

1. Optimization of wind turbine blade designs using wind tunnel testing Rab-Nawaz Ahmed (GL) Usama (AGL) Najeeb Soomro (GM) Farhan Ali Bhatti (GM) Prese nting by Group 5 th (21ESE19) (21ESE44) (21ESE18) (21ESE39) Supervisor Prof. Dr. Shahid Hussain Siyal QUAID-E-AWAM UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NAWABSHAH, SINDH, PAKISTAN ENERGY SYSTEMS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

2. Table of contents Introduction Literature Rev ie w Problem Statement Aim and Objectives Methodology Possible outcome References

3. Introduction Wind energy is a clean, renewable, and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions [1]. Unlike fossil fuels, wind power does not deplete natural resources and has minimal environmental impact [2]. Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing energy sources globally, with installed capacity increasing annually [3]. Role of Wind Turbines in Energy Production: Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from wind into electrical energy using aerodynamically designed blades. The efficiency of wind turbines depends on multiple factors, including blade design, material, and wind conditions [4].

4. Introduction C ont... Need for Blade Optimization: The performance of a wind turbine is largely determined by the shape, angle, and material of its blades [5] . Traditional blade materials (such as fiberglass and carbon fiber) are expensive and complex to manufacture [6] . Wood and PVC have emerged as potential low-cost and sustainable alternatives, but their aerodynamic performance requires further investigation [7] . Importance of Wind Tunnel Testing: Wind tunnel testing allows controlled evaluation of blade performance under various wind speeds and angles of attack [8] . Experimental testing provides real-world validation of theoretical aerodynamic models, making it a crucial step in blade design optimization [10].

5. Literature Rev ie w Sr.# (Author, Year) Ref. Objective Findings Limitations 1 Sathish, 2024 [11] Study aerodynamics of turbine cascades Provided data for CFD validation and aerodynamic behavior analysis. Material details not provided; limited to subsonic applications. 2 Nabhani et al., 2024 [12] Improve efficiency using synthetic jets Enhanced efficiency of large-scale horizontal axis turbines. Limited experimental setup; computational validation needed. 3 Zhao et al., 2024 [13] Assess aerodynamic characteristics of different blade structures Measured rotational speed, lift, drag, and torque variations. Material specifics not mentioned.

6. Literature Rev ie w Cont… Sr.# (Author, Year) Ref. Objective Findings Limitations 4 Sarmast et al., 2024 [14] Improve wind farm efficiency with pitch control Tested individual pitch control strategy (Helix) to enhance wake mixing. Focused on control strategy, not material properties. 5 Zahle et al., 2023 [15] Optimize turbine derating strategies Proposed blade-pitch actuation regulator for control efficiency. Material details not provided. 6 van der Hoek et al., 2023 [16] Improve wake recovery using pitch control Increased combined power output by 15% using Helix pitch control. Study limited to a two-turbine setup.

7. Literature Rev ie w Cont… Sr.# (Author, Year) Ref. Objective Findings Limitations 7 Hosseini et al., 2023 [17] Optimize Savonius wind turbine performance Improved torque coefficient (13.74%), rotational speed (0.071%), and power coefficient (5.32%). Based on simulations; experimental validation needed. 8 Guma & Nishino, 2022 [18] Analyze wake characteristics of optimized blades Clarified influence of dynamic similarity on wake modeling. Material details not provided. 9 Barlas et al., 2021 [19] Optimize aerodynamic performance of blade tip shapes Improved power performance through curved tip shape design. Focused on modeling, not real-world applications.

8. Problem Statement Wind turbine performance depends on blade design, but there is not enough real testing on different blade shapes and materials. Most studies use computer simulations, which may not fully match real-world performance. The impact of materials like wood and PVC on turbine efficiency (speed, lift, drag, and torque) has not been properly tested. Better blade designs are needed, but there is not enough experimental data to improve them effectively. There is a gap between theory and real performance, making it hard to create the best wind turbine blades.

9. Aim and Objectives Aim This study aims to refine wind turbine blade aerodynamics through wind tunnel experiments. By analyzing different blade shapes and configurations, we seek to improve turbine efficiency and contribute to the future of wind energy technology. Objectives To study how different blade shapes affect wind turbine performance using wind tunnel tests. To test how materials like wood and PVC impact turbine efficiency, including speed. To compare the performance of different blade designs based on real experimental data. To improve blade designs for better energy output and efficiency.

10. Methodology Step 1: Designing the Blades Create different blade shapes and sizes to test how they affect performance. Choose wood and PVC(polyvinyl Chloride) as materials to compare their durability, weight, and efficiency. Adjust blade angles and airfoil shapes to improve wind capture. Step 2: Fabricating the Blades Cut and shape the blades carefully using hand tools. Smooth and finish the surfaces to reduce air resistance and improve aerodynamics. Ensure the blades are balanced and securely attached to the rotor.

11. Methodology Step 3: Setting Up the Wind Tunnel Mount the wind turbine model inside a controlled wind tunnel. Adjust the wind speed using a computer-controlled axial fan. Connect sensors and a SCADA(Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system to monitor performance in real-time. Step 4: Running the Tests & Collecting Data Test each blade design under different wind speeds. Measure key factors like : Wind speed. Rotational speed (RPM). Voltage & current. Thrust force & mechanical torque Record and save all the data for analysis.

12. Methodology Step 5: Analyzing Performance Could you find out which blade design produces the most power efficiently? Identify the best material, shape, and angle combination for maximum wind energy conversion. Step 6: Optimization & Recommendations Conclude which blade design is the best for efficiency and durability. Suggest possible improvements, like modifying blade angles or testing new materials. Recommend further research, such as using CFD simulations or experimenting with stronger lightweight materials.

13. Possible Outcomes Identification of the most efficient blade shape based on power output. Comparison of wood vs. PVC blades in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Evaluation of the impact of blade angle and number of blades on performance. Analysis of wind speed variations and their effect on turbine output. Measurement of thrust force and mechanical torque to assess turbine stability.

14. [1] Sundar , P., et al. (2021). Advances in Wind Energy Technology . Renewable Energy Journal, 45(3), 210-225. [2] Manwell , J. F., McGowan, J. G., & Rogers, A. L. (2010). Wind Energy Explained: Theory, Design, and Application . John Wiley & Sons. [3] Global Wind Energy Council. (2023). Global Wind Report 2023 . [4] Burton, T., Sharpe, D., Jenkins, N., & Bossanyi , E. (2020). Wind Energy Handbook . Wiley. [5] Sharma, R., & Gupta, A. (2022). "Aerodynamic Performance of Wind Turbine Blades: A Review," Energy Science Journal , 39(2), 112-130. [6] Kumar, M., et al. (2019). Sustainable Wind Turbine Materials: Challenges and Prospects . Materials Today: Proceedings. [7] Ali, S., et al. (2023). "Comparative Study of PVC and Wooden Wind Turbine Blades in Experimental Conditions," Renewable Energy Research , 18(4), 178-193. [8] Shaikh , F., et al. (2022). "Wind Energy Potential in Pakistan: A Review," Renewable Energy & Sustainability Journal , 15(2), 98-110. [9] Anderson, J. D. (2017). Fundamentals of Aerodynamics . McGraw-Hill. [10] Tang, X., et al. (2021). "Experimental Validation of Wind Turbine Blade Performance Using Wind Tunnel Testing," Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics , 14(1), 89-102. [11] Sathish, S. (2024). Wind tunnel testing and modeling implications of an advanced turbine cascade. arXiv preprint arXiv:2407.11210 . https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.11210 [12] Nabhani, A., Tousi , N. M., Coma, M., Bugeda , G., & Bergada , J. M. (2024). Large-scale horizontal axis wind turbine aerodynamic efficiency optimization using active flow control and synthetic jets. arXiv preprint arXiv:2407.20746 . https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.20746 References

15. [13] Zhao, X., Zhang, Z., & Wang, J. (2024). Wind tunnel experimental study on the aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbines with different structural parameters. Philosophical Magazine . https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14786451.2024.2305035 [14] Sarmast , S., Ivanell , S., & Mikkelsen , R. (2024). Wind tunnel investigations of an individual pitch control strategy for wind farm flow control. Wind Energy Science, 9 , 1251–1265. https://wes.copernicus.org/articles/9/1251/2024/ [15] Zahle , F., Sørensen , N. N., & Johansen, J. (2023). Wind tunnel testing of wind turbine and wind farm control strategies. Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 16 (5), 053302. https://pubs.aip.org/aip/jrse/article/16/5/053302/3311727 [16] van der Hoek , D., Schepers , G., & van Kuik , G. (2023). Individual blade pitch control for wake recovery in wind farms: A wind tunnel study. Renewable Energy, 210 , 180-191. https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.12849 [17] Hosseini , S. E., Karimi , O., & AsemanBakhsh , M. A. (2023). Multi-objective optimization of Savonius wind turbine. arXiv preprint arXiv:2308.14648 . https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.14648 [18] Guma , D., & Nishino, T. (2022). Wind tunnel tests of wake characteristics for a scaled wind turbine model with thrust-optimized blades. Energies, 15 (17), 6165. https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/17/6165 [19] Barlas , T., Madsen, H. A., & Zahle , F. (2021). Aerodynamic optimization of curved tip shapes for wind turbine blades. Wind Energy, 24 (6), 1203-1221. https://wes.copernicus.org/articles/6/1311/2021/ References

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