Experimental characterization of a small wind turbine with variable blades angle

Abstract

Small wind turbines with fixed blades present a significant disadvantage when operating at low wind speeds. Wind speed increase proportionally with the height to the ground and such wind turbines are installed at most on rooftops, so they face low wind speeds < 10 m/s. This work shows the experimental characterization of a wind turbine prototype with three flat blades and variable orientation angle, to measure the least wind velocity that drives the turbine from the rest. Experimental tests were carried out in a wind tunnel defining two essential points of interest: first, the angle at which it is possible to start the movement of the turbine with the minimum energy; second, the angle that captures the most power from the wind, based on a constant energy input (wind velocity constant).