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Parameter Optimization Design of Adaptive Flaps for Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

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  • Zhenxu Ran

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China)

  • Weipao Miao

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
    Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer in Power Engineering, Shanghai 200093, China)

  • Yongqing Lai

    (Power China Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Hangzhou 311100, China)

  • Yurun Pan

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China)

  • Huahao Ou

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China)

  • Ruize Zhang

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China)

Abstract

To enhance the aerodynamic performance of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) under complex gust conditions, the design parameters of the flap were optimized using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method combined with orthogonal experimental design and the SHERPA algorithm, and two gust models with mainly high and low wind speeds were generated by a self-compiling program to investigate the effects of three combinations of the chordwise mounting position of the flap, the moment of inertia, and the maximum deflection angle on the aerodynamic performance of the vertical axis wind turbine. The results demonstrated that adaptive flaps reduced the flow separation region and suppressed the formation and development of separation vortices, thereby enhancing aerodynamic performance. The adaptive flap was found to be more effective in high-speed gust environments than in low-speed ones. The optimal configuration—chordwise position at 0.4 C , moment of inertia at 6.12 × 10 −5 kg·m 2 , and a maximum deflection angle of 40°—led to a 57.24% improvement relative to the original airfoil.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhenxu Ran & Weipao Miao & Yongqing Lai & Yurun Pan & Huahao Ou & Ruize Zhang, 2025. "Parameter Optimization Design of Adaptive Flaps for Vertical Axis Wind Turbines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-22, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:16:p:4333-:d:1724381
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    References listed on IDEAS

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