Optimizing efficiency and analyzing performance: Enhanced airfoil cross-sections for horizontal axis small wind turbines

Abstract

This study explores modifications to the blade airfoil cross-sections aimed at improving the efficiency of a 10 kW Bergey EXCEL horizontal axis small wind turbine. Specifically, the research focuses on altering the camber and thickness of the turbine’s baseline airfoil, designated as SG6043. Using advanced aerodynamic analysis tools like QBlade, the performance of the modified airfoils EY05-10 and EY08-9 is evaluated. The findings show that these modified airfoils achieve a higher lift-to-drag ratio compared to the baseline. These improved airfoils are then incorporated into the turbine’s blade geometry using the WT_Perf software. The enhanced turbine’s power generation capabilities are subsequently assessed with FAST (Fatigue, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Turbulence) version 8. Results reveal that at a wind speed of 15 m/s, the turbine with the modified blades produces 6.7% more power and 20.47% more annual energy than the original turbine.