Dynamic Analysis of the Optimized Savonius Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Composite Blades

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive study of the dynamic behavior of small vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) based on local fabricated Savonius VAWTs, which is suitable for countries that have a moderate wind speed. The merits of this design are cleanliness, silent, start-up under low wind speed, independent wind directions, adaptability, and ease of manufacturing. Also, this article presents an experimental validation study for the optimized Savonius VAWT. Four verification test configurations of the optimized VAWT composite blades are designed, simulated, and fabricated of Glass—Polyester with different stacking sequence layout for each. Modified mechanical parameters are introduced to improve the scalability, reliability, and accuracy of the developed models. Based on wind energy conversion system basics, aerodynamic characteristics (tip speed ratio (λ) and coefficient of power (Cp)) and dynamic characteristics (natural frequencies and mode shapes) of Savonius rotor models are presented and simulated within solidworks simulation 2020 software. The dynamic characteristics such as frequency, mode shape, and damping factor are extensively investigated using fast Fourier transform (FFT) analyzer. The results show that the role of composite material blades in improving the dynamic performance of a wind turbine is significant.