The Impact of Blade Surface Roughness on Wind Turbine Efficiency: A Monte Carlo Method Approach

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of blade surface roughness on the performance and efficiency of wind turbines. Environmental factors such as icing, insects, dust, and pollution contribute to blade roughness, increasing aerodynamic drag and reducing power output. In this study, a Monte Carlo simulation is employed to analyze the effects of surface roughness on key variables, including the power coefficient, rotor torque, generator speed, and blade pitch angle in two distinct operating regions: partial load and full load. The results indicate that in the partial load region, increased roughness leads to a reduction in the power coefficient, generator speed, and rotor torque, ultimately lowering power output. However, in the full load region, the control system compensates for roughness effects by adjusting the blade pitch angle, maintaining a nearly constant power output. This study provides a probabilistic analysis of roughness effects, aiding engineers in developing optimized strategies for wind turbine design and maintenance to minimize energy losses and enhance efficiency.