A Review on the New Structure of Savonius Wind Turbines

Abstract

This paper summarizes the research results of the structural parameters which have effects on the performance of Savonius wind turbine. Savonius wind turbine being used in wind power and tidal power belongs to vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). Recently, more and more research have placed on it for its advantages such as: being able to accept wind from any direction, long fatigue life of the blades, high starting torque, wide working wind speed range, easy to install, manufacture and maintain and low noise etc. The performance of Savonius wind turbine is affected by many factors. Different structural parameters can bring huge differences in turbine performance. Especially the differences in the maximum wind energy utilization (Cp-max) can be more than 30% with different structure. Many new turbines get higher Cp-max by improving the structural parameters. In this paper, the structural improvement information of Savonius wind turbine is summarized in order to provide useful knowledge for the researchers in the structural design and improvement.