Optimization of aerodynamic performance in vertical axis wind turbines using corrugated materials

Abstract The purpose of this study is to explore the optimization effect of wavy materials on the aerodynamic performance of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT). Two types of wavy materials, soft NBR and hard polyurethane, were attached to the leading edge and side of the wind turbine blades respectively. The effects of material properties and wind turbine assembly position on the performance were analyzed. Various wind speed and rotation speed conditions were set in the experiment, and the torque output and wind power utilization efficiency under various configuration schemes were evaluated. The results showed that the use of polyurethane materials on the side of the wind turbine blades was significantly better than other configurations, especially under high tip speed ratio conditions, which significantly improved the wind turbine torque output and wind energy conversion efficiency.