Aerodynamic and structural analysis of a small-scale horizontal axis wind turbine using QBlade

Abstract

In this paper the aerodynamic and structural analysis of a small-scale horizontal axis wind turbine using QBlade software will be presented. QBlade software will be used to validate the wind turbine design, according with the Blade Element Momentum theory. The influence of the tip and root losses on the power curve will be analysed. The pitch angle control curve will be obtained. The annual energy production will be analysed on the basis of Weibull parameters. The structural analysis in terms of modal and static structural will be presented for three different internal structures: solid blade, hollow blade without spar, and hollow blade with spar. It has been found that the natural frequencies obtained for lateral translations (flapwise and edgewise), chord rotation around the blade longitudinal axis and longitudinal translation are in a safety range from the harmonics of wind turbine rotational speed at the operating condition, thus avoiding the resonance.