Aerodynamic design and optimization of horizontal axis wind turbines by using BEM theory and genetic algorithm

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Mühendislik Fakültesi, Havacılık ve Uzay Mühendisliği Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2008

Öğrenci: ÖZLEM CEYHAN

Danışman: NİLAY SEZER UZOL

Özet:

An aerodynamic design and optimization tool for wind turbines is developed by using both Blade Element Momentum (BEM) Theory and Genetic Algorithm. Turbine blades are optimized for the maximum power production for a given wind speed, a rotational speed, a number of blades and a blade radius. The optimization variables are taken as a fixed number of sectional airfoil profiles, chord lengths, and twist angles along the blade span. The airfoil profiles and their aerodynamic data are taken from an airfoil database for which experimental lift and drag coefficient data are available. The BEM analysis tool developed is first validated with the experimental data for low wind speeds. A 100 kW wind turbine, which is used in the validation, is then optimized. As a result of the optimization, the power production is improved by 40 to 80 percent. The optimization methodology is then employed to design a 1MW wind turbine with a 25m radius.