Mitigating Electrostatic Voltage Buildup on Wind Turbine Blades Using CNT-Reinforced FGRE Composites a CFD Based Study Under Varying Humidity Levels

The Electrostatic voltage accumulation on wind turbine blades poses significant challenges, particularly in environments with varying humidity. This study investigates the impact of incorporating Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) into Fiberglass Resin Epoxy (FGRE) mitigating electrostatic charge buildup under different relative humidity (RH) levels. A computational approach utilizing Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations was employed to analyze the electrostatic voltage distribution on blade surfaces at RH levels of 20%, 50%, and 70%. Results indicate that CNT-reinforced composites substantially reduce voltage accumulation compared to FGRE, attributed to the enhanced electrical conductivity of CNTs. Higher RH levels further diminish voltage buildup due to improved surface conductivity and charge dissipation. The CNT-composite blades demonstrated superior performance across all conditions, highlighting their potential for use in wind turbines operating in humid or variable atmospheric environments. This study underscores the importance of advanced composite materials in optimizing blade design and improving the reliability of wind energy lightning protection systems.