Numerical analysis via CFD/Adjoint of wind turbine performance due to the introduction of bioinspired protuberances on the leading edges of the blades

• Grant number: 23/12157-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Transport Phenomena
• Principal Investigator: Aluisio Viais Pantaleão
• Grantee: Monique Caroline Silva Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Wind-generated energy has experienced a significant reduction in average costs over the last few years. However, it is essential to pursue an even more substantial reduction to truly make it competitive when compared to conventional energy sources. This reduction can be achieved by applying optimization methods to vertical axis wind turbines, which is the aim of the project linked to the OTIC (Offshore Technology Innovation Center). The present work aims to study the flow over the aerodynamic profile of the blades of a vertical axis wind turbine, carrying out a computational analysis of the geometry of interest and its optimization. First of all, optimization is carried out introducing bioinspired protrusions on the dorsal fin of the Humpback Whale. This approach seeks to emphasize the potential benefits resulting from the incorporation of these protrusions. Subsequently, the optimization process is refined through the application of the adjoint method, a particularly valuable approach in fluid mechanics due to its ability to simplify complex problems through the use of adjoint equations. The activities will be conducted using the open-source software OpenFoam (Open source Field Operation And Manipulation), and the protuberances used will come from previous research carried out by FEIS-UNESP, a local research group. The proposal involves validating the numerical techniques developed so far using data from the literature, It is then proposed to validate the numerical techniques developed so far using data from the literature. Once these results are validated, the knowledge about the enhancement of aerodynamic performance of the blades can be expanded and the blades can be used in OTIC, with some operating conditions.