Optimized linearization of chord and twist angle profiles for fixed-pitch fixed-speed wind turbine blades

Abstract

The chord and twist angle radial profiles of a fixed-pitch fixed-speed (FPFS) horizontal-axis wind turbine blade are based on a particular design wind speed and design tip speed ratio. Because the tip speed ratio varies with wind speed, the originally optimized chord and twist angle radial profiles for a preliminary blade design through optimum rotor theory do not necessarily provide the highest annual energy production (AEP) for the wind turbine on a specific site with known wind resources. This paper aims to demonstrate a novel optimal blade design method for an FPFS wind turbine through adopting linear radial profiles of the blade chord and twist angle and optimizing the slope of these two lines. The radial profiles of the blade chord and twist angle are linearized on a heuristic basis with fixed values at the blade tip and floating values at the blade root based on the preliminary blade design, and the best solution is determined using the highest AEP for a particular wind speed Weibull distribution as the optimization criteria with constraints of the top limit power output of the wind turbine. The outcomes demonstrate clearly that the proposed blade design optimization method offers a good opportunity for FPFS wind turbine blade design to achieve a better power performance and low manufacturing cost. This approach can be used for any practice of FPFS wind turbine blade design and refurbishment.