Optimization and Design of Low-Power Wind Turbine Blades

Our review of the literature revealed that many studies focused on very high-power wind turbines (few MW), which cost millions of euros and were installed in areas of high wind speeds. Algeria has few areas with significant wind potential. Accordingly, we have found that there are many areas within the highlands of the Wilaya of Tlemcen where the wind is constant during the day at a speed that can be used to supply a few hundred watts. To make this idea a reality, we started designing and building the blades using rapid prototyping, which has become increasingly accessible thanks to 3D printing; that offers the advantage of being quick (a few days), effectively costed and accurate to manufacture. As our first objective, we produced blades for small wind turbines in our laboratory, which made it easier for us to obtain practical research results at the faculty of technology of Tlemcen University for the sake of developing and producing a low-power wind turbine chain. To this end, we began designing a three-bladed small wind turbine. The first step was the additive manufacturing of a 71 cm radius blade as an alternative to subtractive methods such as digital milling. The blade design is developed using freely available software packages. Aerodynamic considerations for the blades include selection of the aerodynamic profile and calculation of the blade geometry. Structural considerations focus on available printable materials such as PLA. The blade had to be reinforced with a support rod and filled and coated with epoxy resin. The blades are printed in our laboratory using a 3D printer. The other required parts are manufactured at the technology hall of the faculty of Tlemcen. The aerodynamic tests we carried out paved the way for projects such as selecting and sizing the appropriate generator and developing a robust, cost-effective control system.