This thesis presents an aerodynamic shape optimization methodology for rotor blades of horizontal
axis wind turbines. Genetic Algorithm and Blade Element Momentum Theory are implemented
in order to find maximum power production at a specific wind speed, rotor speed
and rotor diameter. The potential flow solver, XFOIL, provides viscous aerodynamic data of
the airfoils. Optimization variables are selected as the sectional chord length, the sectional
twist and the blade profiles at root, mid and tip regions of the blade. The blade sections are
defined by the NACA four digit airfoil series or arbitrary airfoil profiles defined by a Bezier
curve. Firstly, validation studies are performed with the airfoils and the wind turbines having
experimental data. Then, optimization studies are performed on the existing wind turbines.
Finally, design optimization applications are carried out for a 1 MWwind turbine.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:METU/oai:etd.lib.metu.edu.tr:http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12613970/index.pdf |
| Date | 01 December 2011 |
| Creators | Polat, Ozge |
| Contributors | Tuncer, Ismail Hakki |
| Publisher | METU |
| Source Sets | Middle East Technical Univ. |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | M.S. Thesis |
| Format | text/pdf |
| Rights | To liberate the content for METU campus |
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