Otimização de projeto aerodinâmico de pá de microgerador eólico empregando o algoritmo genético

Abstract

To enable the spread of wind energy micro generation, it is necessary to create wind generators with accessible size and price. In this paper, it is proposed the creation of a computational tool to optimize the traditional design of turbine blades, in order to adapt them to specific and small-sized applications, a process performed based on solely wind speed data and required energy. Traditionally, the process of aerodynamic design depends on the choice of one ore more airfoils to be applied on the rotor. The method used in this paper eliminates this need through the use of the genetic algorithm for the aerodynamic design optimization of blades composed of thin airfoils. The Blade Element Momentum Method is used for the assessment of each individual’s power coeficient and speed within the domain searched by the genetic algorithm. The results found are good enough reaching power coeficients of 57%, figure close to the theoretical limit of 59% defined by the conservation of linear momentum theory.