Design, Modeling, and Analysis of A HAWT With A Passively Induced Morphing Blade
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Date
2023
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Wind energy become a major form of energy in the past decades, which needs extensive research activities to improve power efficiency. Herein, a Palm tree-inspired morphing blade novel concept design is introduced to improve the power efficiency of conventional HAWTs. The rotor speed is regulated by a twist-augmented bending system and the blade restoration at low tip speed is performed by a spring-augmented pivot hinge system. The main objective of this research project is to design, a 3D model, and Analysis of a HAWT with a passively induced morphing blade. A NACA 4412 Applicable profiles is selected for the proposed morphing blade design. A knowledge-based design compatibility analysis (DCA) was investigated, indeed the design is compatible. The 3D model of the proposed morphing blade was done using CERO PTC 8, and ANSYS Fluent 2021R2 was used for the CFD analysis. The computational geometry was discretized in a well-structured fine tetrahedral cell with the recommended skewness <0.95 and orthogonal quality >0.1. The CFD analysis was based on the simplified Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) governing equations with a steady-state Spalart-allmaras turbulence viscous model. From the CFD simulation results, the average power produced at an annual mean wind speed was 870 KW. In addition, the linear relationship between the theoretical (analytical), and CFD simulation results of power coefficient (Cp), Tip speed, and produced power, shows a very strong correlation. To compare the Annual Energy production (AEP), a conventional SANY SE7715 wind turbine installed in the Adama II wind farm project with the same operating conditions and partial design specifications was taken as a reference site. Using the software-based analysis results, the AEP of the newly introduced morphing blade at annual mean wind speed is 7.62 GWh. Likewise, the average AEP of the reference site as per the prior researcher’s investigation is 5.59 GWh. which is about 570 GWh gross AEP for the total 102 sets. This indicates the AEP of the novel morphing ability wind turbine design is 36.4 % higher than the reference site. Finally, the detailed design of the inner structures of the palm tree-inspired morphing blade, detailed structural load analysis, prototype, and experimental investigations are part of the future work.
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Keywords
Wind, morphing blade, Palm tree, HAWT, 3D modeling, CFD, Compatibility design analysis (DCA), Life cycle analysis (LCA), Efficiency