Electronic control for optimizing power absorption of darrieus vertical axis wind turbine by adjusting angle of attack method

Abstract

This paper presents a mechanical design and electronic control for the angle of attack on the Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) darrieus type with NACA0015 and 3 blades. This research was conducted to obtain high-efficiency absorption power on various wind speeds. The VAWT mechanical design is based on systematic calculations with a height of 150cm and a diameter of 120cm. NACA0015 airfoil with calculations in the NACA airfoil database obtained blade length of 15.892cm and width of 1.905cm. The electronic control on this system, Arduino mega controller, has input from an anemometer sensor, and rotary encoder sensor. While, the output is servo motors for 3 blade. A microprocessor control unit is programmed to control the adjustment of blade angle of attack. The angle of attack is defined by wind speed, angular speed of VAWT, and a defined TSR (Tip Speed Ratio). The angle of attack control method is PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) algorithm. By setting the TSR value constantly at 3-4, the angle of attack will be adapted even on any various wind speed. Expected result, the maximum power absorption will be obtained on various wind speed. This system can increase power efficiency of VAWT up to 35-40%.