Evaluation of the efficiency of bioinspired blade designs for low-speed small-scale wind turbines with the presence of inflow turbulence effects

W. Yossri, S. Ben Ayed and A. Abdelkefi

Energy, 2023, vol. 273, issue C

Abstract: This work explores the bioinspiration prospects for small-scale wind turbine (SSWT) designs. Innovative designs used for the first time as wind turbine blades are inspired by birds' and insects’ wing geometries available in nature that are most known for their very peculiar flight characteristics and notable aerodynamic performance under specific fight conditions namely the albatross, the golden eagle, and the dragonfly. These designs are modeled, and their corresponding CADs are built. The constructed designs are then subject to a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) investigation to evaluate their effectiveness in generating power. The bioinspired designs are then compared to each other in terms of the torque and power generated as well as directional stresses that the blade is subject to. The aim is to provide insights on the aerodynamic and structural characteristics of the different studied designs. The success of a turbine design is measured in terms of its aerodynamic performance when operating at wind speeds of magnitudes not exceeding 4 m/s as well as its structural aptitude to withstand high aerodynamic loads. This is evaluated in this work by the flow engendered stress magnitudes and distribution along the blades. Results show that, when a 50 cm diameter turbine that is subject to 4 m/s incoming flow is considered, the golden eagle design reached the highest power coefficient of 13% compared to the other bioinspired designs studied. Furthermore, inflow turbulence effect is also explored herein and results show that inflow turbulence has a positive influence on the turbine output in some cases.

Keywords: Small-scale wind turbine; Blade shape; Bioinspired designs; Computational fluid dynamics; Power output; Inflow turbulence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:273:y:2023:i:c:s0360544223006047

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.127210

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