Aerodynamic and structural optimization of wind turbine blade with static aeroelastic effects

Abstract

With the increasing size of wind turbine blade, the aeroelastic analysis becomes an essential step in the blade design process. The scope of this paper is to investigate the static aeroelastic effects between the fluid-structure interaction and improve the blade performances. First, the rigid and flexible blades are used to analyze the effects of static aeroelasticity on the blade aerodynamic and structural performances through a blade element momentum model coupled with 3D finite element analysis model. Based on this, a multi-objective aerodynamic and structural optimization method is proposed aiming at increasing the annual energy production and reducing blade mass, key parameters of the blade are employed as design variables, and various design requirements including strain, deflection, vibration and buckling limits are considered as constraints. Finally, a commercial 1.5 MW wind turbine blade is applied as a case study, and the optimization results show great improvements for the aerodynamic and structural performances of the blade.