An approximate method for aerodynamic optimization of horizontal axis wind turbine blades

This paper presents a theoretical method to deal with the aerodynamic performance and pitch optimization of the horizontal axis wind turbine blades at low wind speeds. By considering a blade element, the functional relationship among the angle of attack, pitch angle, rotational speed of the blade, and wind speed is derived in consideration of a quasi-steady aerodynamic model, and aerodynamic loads on the blade element are then obtained. The torque and torque coefficient of the blade are derived by using integration. A polynomial approximation is applied to functions of the lift and drag coefficients for the symmetric and asymmetric airfoils respectively, where specific expressions of aerodynamic loads as functions of the angle of attack (which is a function of pitch angle) are obtained. The pitch optimization problem is investigated by considering the maximum value problem of the instantaneous torque of a blade as a function of pitch angle. Dynamic pitch laws for HAWT blades with either symmetric or asymmetric airfoils are derived. Influences of parameters including inflow ratio, rotational speed, azimuth, and wind speed on torque coefficient and optimal pith angle are discussed.