Design and Aerodynamic Performance Study of a Butterfly‐Inspired Vertical Axis Wind Turbine for Urban and Aviation Zone Wind Energy Applications

This study presents the development of a butterfly‐inspired vertical axis wind turbine (BAWT), integrating drag‐ and lift‐based mechanisms inspired by biological structures. By combining Savonius rotors, known for their self‐starting capability and torque stability at low wind speeds, with airfoil blades that enhance performance at higher tip‐speed ratios, the design is aimed at maximizing energy extraction across a range of wind conditions. This hybrid approach leverages the drag‐induced rotation of the Savonius rotor and the lift generated by airfoil blades to ensure efficient operation in both turbulent and low‐wind environments, particularly suitable for applications in spatially constrained areas such as airports. The BAWT configuration eliminates the need for complex yaw control mechanisms, enhancing operational simplicity and omnidirectional wind capture. To improve structural resilience, especially in aviation zones, morphing and helical blade geometries are considered. The design drew inspiration from butterfly feather morphology, leading to the development of a unique blade configuration featuring an inverted tapered profile on the upper section and a diamond‐shaped profile on the lower section. The NACA 2411 airfoil is selected for the tapered region due to its high lift‐to‐drag ( L / D ) ratio and low thickness, while another NACA profile, chosen for the blade root, ensured adequate stiffness. XFOIL software is utilized to evaluate the aerodynamic performance of these profiles. Computational fluid dynamics simulations in ANSYS Fluent are conducted to assess power output and flow behavior. Results indicated that the proposed BAWT design significantly outperforms a conventional Savonius wind turbine in terms of energy generation and torque. Modal analysis identified abnormal deformations at Modes 9 and 10, with notable increases in distortion between Modes 6 and 7. These findings informed harmonic analysis critical to evaluating the turbine’s fatigue resistance and structural robustness. Strain distribution mapping helped identify potential failure zones due to vibrational loads. A sensitivity study revealed that blade deformation is highly dependent on aerodynamic loading and structural design. Among the tested materials, a composite comprising woven–S‐glass fiber–reinforced polymer with carbon nanotubes and sand foam core exhibited the best fluid–structure interaction performance. This material choice contributed to reduced deformation and strain in the BAWT, indicating improved durability and resistance to mechanical fatigue compared to traditional Savonius designs.