Design and analysis of a 1 kW Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine with straight composite blades

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science & Technology, Tehran, Iran

2 Prof., School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science & Technology, Tehran, Iran

10.22044/jsfm.2025.15556.3929

Abstract

Nowadays, energy production from clean sources such as wind is receiving increasing attention from researchers and industrial professionals. Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are a type of wind turbine that are often used for urban and low-power applications. This study aimed to design and analyze a vertical-axis wind turbine. A 1 kW Darrieus-type VAWT with straight blades was aerodynamically and conceptually designed for a region with an average wind speed of 10 m/s. After determining the turbine's dimensions and geometry, the structural design and composite stacking sequence of the blades were conducted to withstand extreme wind forces while maintaining blade lightness. This was achieved using an analytical method and the PreComp code. The designed turbine features a rotor diameter of 2.5 m, three blades, a rotational speed of 240 rpm, a blade height of 2.18 m, a chord length of 0.11 m, and an airfoil of DU06-W-200. The blade structure included an optimized composite layup in different sections, consisting of unidirectional and bidirectional composite materials, a core, bonding layers, and a gel coat. The mass of each blade was approximately 600 g, showcasing the advantages of using composite materials. The structural design, validated through FEA, demonstrated a 3% error.

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Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Solid and Fluid Mechanics
Volume 15, Issue 1
March and April 2025
Pages 1-17

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