Enhancement of the output power of a small horizontal axis wind turbine based on the optimization approach

Abstract

In this research article, a developed approach was introduced for the design and optimization of small wind turbine blades based on computational tools such as FAST and QBlade to address challenges in aerodynamic analysis, structural integrity, and power output prediction. A key focus is on optimizing airfoil selection based on lift-to-drag ratios, with the NACA4412 airfoil emerging as the most suitable choice for enhancing turbine performance. The optimization process includes a linearization approach for adjusting the chord and twist angles of the blade, which proved beneficial in streamlining the design. This approach led to notable improvements in the power coefficient across a range of rotational speeds, achieving an average increase of up to 8% and boosting power generation at a wind speed by 6.38%. These findings underscore the effectiveness of a targeted, systematic design optimization in enhancing turbine efficiency and output.