Topic : Profile modification on wind turbine blade to increase aerodynamic performance and

efficiency of wind turbines

A. Background

Indonesia is the worlds largest archipilago, which consist of more than 17,000 islands and
only about 5,700 islands is inhabited. Indonesia coastal line is more than 81,000 km. The
characteristic of small islands is poor for resources such as limited fresh water and electricity
supply. Based on these geographical conditions, Indonesia has great wind energy potential.
Wind energy as a one of renewable energy is clean and free for all, however, its kinetic
potential energy should change to fullfil the need energy consumption by using wind turbines
to generate electricity or other mechanical energy such for pumping system. To realize these,
many activity related to wind energy should be done as research and development (R and D)
on wind turbines technology [1].
B. Detailed Target and Objectives of the Research

The purpose of this research is to improve the aerodynamic performance and efficiency of
wind turbines by modifying the blade profile on wind turbines. Aerodynamic performance
was analyzed from the lift and drag force of wind turbine blades. Efficiency of wind turbines
is analyzed from the mechanical power generated by wind turbine rotor. In addition, the flow
field around the blade is also analyzed to determine the effect of wind turbine blade profile
changes.
C. Global Status of This Research

One type of modification applied to a wind turbine blade is a vortex generator. Vortex
generator are commonly-used effective flow separation control device, and are proved to
have potential to improve the aerodynamic performance of large wind turbine [3]. A vortex
generator is a device used to extract more power or lift from the wind, this will help to delay
the boundary layer separation over the blade [4,5]. Simulations of wind turbines rotor
equipped with a row of vortex generator on the blades have been carried out, the results
shows that the performance of a blade section on the rotor with vortex generator is affected
by the presence of vortex generator on other sections [6].
D. Methodology

The research that I plan to conduct will be carried out by using Experimental Fluid Dynamic
(EFD) and Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) with flow driven rotor analysis [7,8]. I will
use ANSYS Fluent as CFD software to analyze the flow field around the rotor and then I will
validate the simulation results with experimental results. I will make a modification on wind
turbine blade then I will analyze my design using CFD and EFD. The results of the analysis
of CFD and EFD shall I compare to see the performance of wind turbines. The purpose of
this study was to produce a wind turbine with high efficiency.
E. Intended Contribution to Science and Technology

I content that this research will be valuable in the future considering that the issue of
renewable energy in Indonesia. The results of this study can be used to maximize the
utilization of wind energy in Indonesia. In addition, the results of this study can also be used
as a reference by other researchers interested in the field of renewable energy especially wind
energy. I hope that in the future Indonesia can utilize all available wind energy potential thus
Indonesia can reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
F. Research Plan

First year :
In the first year, I will design a wind turbine blade with the addition of a vortex generator.
CFD simulation is applied to find the most efficient vortex generator arrangement. Another
type of wind turbine blade modification is also simulated to see the characteristic difference.
Second year :
After the design of wind turbine blade profile modification has been obtained, then made a
prototype for the next tested in the wind tunnel. Lifts and drag are analyzed to see the
performance of the resulting wind turbine. In addition, the torque generated by wind turbine
rotor is also analyzed to see the efficiency of wind turbines.
Third year :
In the third year, I will simulate a modified blade of wind turbine design that has been
obtained to validate the results of the experiment. After that I will write a dissertation to
complete my doctoral program. I look forward to writing 2-3 publications before completing
my studies.
G. References
[1] Soeripno M, Murti N, Blowing Wind Energy in Indonesia, Emergy Procedia 47 (2014) 273 282.
[2] Griffin. D.A., Investigation of vortex generators for augmentation of wind turbine power performance,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/SR-440-21399 (1996).
[3] Gao L, Zhang H, Liu Y, Han S, Effect of vortex generators on blunt trailing-edge airfoil for wind
turbines, Renewable Energy 76 (2015) 303-301.
[4] Visman R, Sankar S, Efficincy improvement of wind turbine generator by introducing vortex
genertator, International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) 2015.
[5] Visman R, Sankar S, Profile modification of wind turbine blade for improving efficiency, International
Journal of Reseacrh in Engineering & Technology (IRJET) 2015, 49-58.
[6] Troldborg N, Zahle F, Sorensen NN, Simulations of wind turbine rotor with vortex generators, The
science of making torque from wind (TORQUE 2016) 022057.
[7] Tuyen Q, Kwang-Soo Lee, Jin-Soon Park & Jin Hwan Ko, Flow-driven rotor simulation if vertical axis
tidal turbine: A comparison of helical and straight blades, IJNAOE, (2014) 6:257-268.
[8] Fleisinger M, Matej Vesenjak, Matjaz Hribersek, Flow driven analysis of a darrieus water turbine,
Journal of mechanical engineering 60(2014)12, 769-776.