Simulation Study of the Effect of Wind Speed and Material Type on the Mechanical Properties of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Blades

Abstract

Wind energy is a clean and fast-growing renewable energy source that can be harnessed using wind turbines. In a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT), turbine blades are a crucial factor, and their fiasco leads to wind turbine failure. However, references to VAWT blade structural analysis are very limited. Therefore, the study was carried out to determine the material with the lowest degree of deformation without structural failure. The finding could be used as a recommendation in the material selection of Savonius type vertical axis wind turbine blades. The study used materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, and fiberglass. The analysis was carried out by simulating using ANSYS software. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used for determining the loading by providing speed variations at 3 m/s, 4 m/s, 5 m/s, and 6 m/s. The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) method was applied to analyze the structure, which shows the results of total deformation, equivalent stress, and safety factor. The total deformation results from the aluminum blades showed values of 109.55 mm, 190.73 mm, 299.25 mm, and 425.39 mm. The safety factor values of 4.4049, 2.5166, 1.5647, and 1.1348 revealed that it was also technically safe. Aluminum material can be recommended to be used in the manufacture of Savonius type vertical axis wind turbine blades because of its low price, lightweight, corrosion resistance, and sufficient durability, as revealed from the results of total deformation and safety factor values.