An investigation on the performance and viability of a hybrid twisted blade profile for a horizontal axis micro wind turbine

Abstract

With the ever-growing concern about green and clean energy, one of the most viable options is wind power. Though the concept of a micro wind turbine is not new, exploring the best blade profile that would improve the performance is quite challenging. An ideal blade profile for a roof-mounted micro wind turbine could be the one that would offer the lift at the lowest available wind velocity. This paper presents such a proposal wherein a hybrid twisted blade profile modelled out of NACA4412 and E193 airfoils are used for the investigation. Three different profiles viz. a simple tapered blade (NACA 4412), a twisted tapered blade (NACA4412) and a hybrid twisted tapered blade (Hybrid of NACA4412 and E193) are considered and tested using CFD tool followed by experimental validation using a simple tapered blade in a wind tunnel. The test parameters included different air velocities (2 m/s to 8 m/s) at different angles of attack (−10° to + 10°). The results indicate that the hybrid profile gives superior lift coupled with better structural stability and hydrodynamic power.