Design and optimization of a small horizontal axis wind turbine using BEM theory and tip loss corrections

Abstract

In this paper, an optimization approach of a small horizontal axis wind turbine based on BEM theory including De Vries and Shen et al. tip loss corrections is proposed. The optimal blade geometry was obtained by maximizing the power coefficient along the blade using the optimal angle of attack and the optimal tip speed ratio. The Newton’s iterative method applied to axial induction factor was used to solve the problem. This study was conducted for a NACA4418 small wind turbine, at low wind velocity. Among the two used tip loss corrections, the De Vries correction was found to be the most suitable for this blade optimization method. The optimal design was obtained for a tip speed ratio of 5 and has recorded a power coefficient equal to 0.463.

Numerical Study of a Small Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine Aerodynamics Operating at Low Wind Speed

“…In order to enhance the efficiency of the wind turbine at low wind speeds, a new blade was designed to be similar in size to the Ampair300 wind turbine [18]. An improved BEM method developed in a previous work [19] was applied to the NACA4418 wind turbine. The design approach consisted of maximizing the power coefficients at each blade section by calculating the axial induction factor using an iterative method.…”