Optimized blade design through numerical analysis for enhanced wind turbine performance
Date Issued
2025-10-10
Author(s)
Lazarevikj, M.
Zefikj Uler, M.
Zdravkovska, I.
Vasileska, E.
Iliev, V.
Filkoski, R. V.
Abstract
In recent years, the urgency for transitioning to renewable energy sources (RES) has intensified,
as approximately 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions result from fossil fuel use. Among RES,
wind energy stands out for its low cost, environmental benefits and ongoing technological
improvements. Although recent studies have identified several locations in the Republic of North
Macedonia (RNM) with high wind energy potential, the country's wind resources remain largely
underutilized, and research on turbine design optimized to local conditions is lacking. Given the
fluctuating nature of wind energy, increasing the efficiency and reliability of wind power systems
has become a key focus of the wind turbine industry through innovative approaches in their design
and implementation. In response to this gap, the present study investigates blade design
optimization for a specific high-potential location in RNM, addressing the absence of studies that
adapt aerodynamic design to the country’s wind conditions. The study aims to improve the
performance of a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT), by applying an optimization methodology
based on mathematical modelling and simulation techniques. The study is conducted for a
predetermined wind speed range, which is chosen according to the conditions at the specific
location. For a desired installed power and the basic geometric and operating parameters of a
HAWT, several suitable aerodynamic blade profiles were investigated. After an evaluation of the
airfoils, a selection was conducted on the basis of their aerodynamic performance. The selected
airfoil was used for the HAWT rotor blades composition. Three models of rotor blades were
developed based on different chord length and twist angle distributions. A numerical model was
developed using a software tool to simulate the flow through the blades with different geometries
to predict their impact on the HAWT performance at various operating conditions. These
simulations yielded the output parameters that characterize the wind turbine performance. The
simulation results provided valuable insights into how blade geometry affects overall turbine
behaviour and efficiency. The outcomes confirm that the proposed optimization methodology can
support the selection of site-specific blade designs, improving wind turbine performance and
revealing new opportunities for efficient and localized wind energy production in RNM.
as approximately 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions result from fossil fuel use. Among RES,
wind energy stands out for its low cost, environmental benefits and ongoing technological
improvements. Although recent studies have identified several locations in the Republic of North
Macedonia (RNM) with high wind energy potential, the country's wind resources remain largely
underutilized, and research on turbine design optimized to local conditions is lacking. Given the
fluctuating nature of wind energy, increasing the efficiency and reliability of wind power systems
has become a key focus of the wind turbine industry through innovative approaches in their design
and implementation. In response to this gap, the present study investigates blade design
optimization for a specific high-potential location in RNM, addressing the absence of studies that
adapt aerodynamic design to the country’s wind conditions. The study aims to improve the
performance of a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT), by applying an optimization methodology
based on mathematical modelling and simulation techniques. The study is conducted for a
predetermined wind speed range, which is chosen according to the conditions at the specific
location. For a desired installed power and the basic geometric and operating parameters of a
HAWT, several suitable aerodynamic blade profiles were investigated. After an evaluation of the
airfoils, a selection was conducted on the basis of their aerodynamic performance. The selected
airfoil was used for the HAWT rotor blades composition. Three models of rotor blades were
developed based on different chord length and twist angle distributions. A numerical model was
developed using a software tool to simulate the flow through the blades with different geometries
to predict their impact on the HAWT performance at various operating conditions. These
simulations yielded the output parameters that characterize the wind turbine performance. The
simulation results provided valuable insights into how blade geometry affects overall turbine
behaviour and efficiency. The outcomes confirm that the proposed optimization methodology can
support the selection of site-specific blade designs, improving wind turbine performance and
revealing new opportunities for efficient and localized wind energy production in RNM.
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