Aerodynamic optimal design of wind turbine blades using genetic algorithm

Tahani, Mojtaba; Sokhansefat, Tahmine; Rahmani, Kiana; Ahmadi, Pouria

doi:10.22059/ees.2014.9895

Aerodynamic optimal design of wind turbine blades using genetic algorithm

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Mojtaba Tahani ¹

Tahmine Sokhansefat ¹

Kiana Rahmani ¹

Pouria Ahmadi ²

¹ Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ontraio Institute of Technology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

10.22059/ees.2014.9895

Abstract

Wind power has been widely considered and utilized in recent years as one of the most promising renewable energy sources. In the current research study, aerodynamic analysis of the upwind three-bladed horizontal axis turbine is carried out using blade element momentum theory (BEM), and a genetic algorithm (GA) is applied as an optimization method. Output power generation is considered as an objective function, which is one of the most common choices of objective function. The optimization variables also involve chord and twist distribution variations and the placement of the airfoil sections along the blade length. The optimal blade shape is investigated for the maximum output power at a specific wind speed, rotor diameter and airfoil profile. The modified BEM results are compared with an experimental measurement indicating reliable results. The results show that considering placement of the airfoils as design variables in addition to chord and twist rate has a significant effect on the optimal output power. Finally, the objective function (output power) is improved by 10% compared to the base function.

Keywords

Aerodynamic

BEM & GA

Optimization

Output power

Wind turbine blade