Proposal of a Nature-Inspired Shape for a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine and Comparison of Its Performance with a Semicircular Blade Profile

Abstract

In order to improve the efficiency of the Savonius type vertical axis wind turbine, the present work analyzes an improvement based on an innovative rotor geometry. The rotor blades are inspired on an organic shape mathematically analyzed, the Fibonacci’s spiral, presented in many nature systems as well as in art. This rotor was analyzed in a wind tunnel and through a CFD model. The power coefficients at different tip speed ratios (TSR) were characterized and compared for the Savonius turbine and two versions using the Fibonacci’s spiral. One of the proposed geometries improves the performance of the Savonius type. Particularly, the optimal configuration lead to an improvement in maximum power coefficient of 14.5% in the numerical model respect to a conventional Savonius turbine and 17.6% in the experimental model.