Modal Analysis of a Small Savonius Aerogenerator by Using SolidWorks Simulation

Abstract

Wind energy generation using Savonius wind turbine becomes a promising technology of renewable energy and sustainable development, opportune in urban areas for several applications. This strong rotary machine handles with high wind speeds, requires low maintenance owing to the self-lubricating bearings, and to the self-placing to the wind flow as well as to the self-starting at very low wind velocity. During last decade, the industrial computer codes become a major technology tools in modeling, and simulation of dynamics structures for improving and optimizing their performances. Present paper, investigated the dynamic comportment of a small three-bladed Savonius-aerogenerator using SolidWorks simulation software. The simulation results showed that the design reliability and stability were confirmed since no resonance to be happened in the structure and the quality factor is close to 7 for the first five vibration modes. The two first natural frequencies 16.62Hz and 16.74Hz of the wind turbine are far away from external excited frequencies active at the wind speeds up to 15m/s.