Optimization of Energy Harvesting From Stall-Induced Oscillations Using the Multidimensional Kriging Metamodel

Abstract

The power harvested from stall-induced oscillations of airfoils has been analyzed as a potential source of electric energy for microsystems. Previous works have indicated that the energy harvested from such oscillations is affected by key parameters of the structural configuration. In this sense, this work proposes the optimization of such parameters by considering the use of a stochastic multidimensional Kriging metamodel. The metamodel was built using a database created with simulations of an electro-aeroelastic model. Such model considers aerodynamics loads given by the Beddoes–Leishman model as input for the system of differential equations which governs the pitching motion of an airfoil attached to an electric generator. The results of the optimization process have indicated an optimum point for the elastic axis of the structure and the need for reducing the mass, the moment of inertia, and the stiffness for increasing the harvested power in a range of wind speeds.