Dragonfly-Inspired Blades for high Aerodynamic Performance small Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

Abstract

Abstract Inspired from the fascinating realm of Dragonfly features, this study intricately investigates the aerodynamic performance of a distinctive 1 m diameter small-scale Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine characterized by a unique bio-inspired tandem-blades configuration. Based on experimental wind tunnel tests and computational fluid dynamics simulations, the turbine performance is explored at different Tip Speed Ratios (TSRs). Remarkably, the bio-inspired turbine exhibits exceptional traits, achieving a notable peak power coefficient of approximately 0.35 at a low TSR of 3. A detailed investigation includes thorough analyses of pressure contours, relative velocity distributions, and individual blade contributions, revealing unique dynamics within the tandem configuration. The fore blade notably prevails in extracting wind energy, showcasing superior performance. While the hind blade influence in enhancing the fore blade efficiency emerges, underscoring the role of blade interactions in this bio-inspired designs. This study contributes significantly to the comprehension of the new design dragonfly-inspired wind turbine aerodynamics.