Aerodynamic Performance Assessment and Blade Design Optimization of Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines for Sustainable Energy Development

Wind energy constitutes a vital pillar of global decarbonisation strategy, with horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs) accounting for over ۹۵% of installed capacity. This study addresses site-specific aerodynamic design and optimization of a ۲۵-metre HAWT rotor blade tailored to the Jamshoro wind corridor, Pakistan, employing Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory within the QBlade v۰.۹۶ computational platform. Eight NACA ۴-digit airfoils—symmetric ۰۰xx series (۰۰۱۲, ۰۰۱۵, ۰۰۱۸, ۰۰۲۰) and cambered ۵۵xx series (۵۵۱۲, ۵۵۱۵, ۵۵۱۸, ۵۵۲۰)—were systematically evaluated across Reynolds numbers from ۴.۰×۱۰⁵ to ۱.۲×۱۰⁶. Four distinct blade configurations were developed and benchmarked under Jamshoro site conditions (mean wind speed ۹ m/s; operational range ۵–۱۴ m/s; rated rotational speed ۲۵ RPM). The fully cambered ۵۵xx blade achieved a maximum power coefficient Cₙ = ۰.۵۲ at tip-speed ratio TSR = ۹, representing ۸۸% of the theoretical Betz limit, generating ۵۰۰ kW at mean conditions and ۱,۳۷۳ kW at ۱۴ m/s. Symmetric designs were outperformed by ۳۷%. A hybrid root–cambered tip configuration achieved ۹۶% of peak performance. Parametric chord and twist studies confirm manufacturing tolerance of ±۲۰% with less than ۵% power variation, validating feasibility for emerging-market production. Peak aerodynamic loading (normal force ۳,۴۲۳ N; tangential force ۴۵,۰۷۷ N) occurs at ۵۰–۷۰% span, establishing structural design limits. Results support indigenous wind turbine manufacturing in Pakistan with ۲۰–۳۰% cost reduction, contributing to the national ۳۰% renewable-electricity target by ۲۰۳۰.

کلیدواژه ها:

Renewable energy sustainability ، Blade Element Momentum Theory ، HAWT rotor blade optimization ، NACA airfoil aerodynamics ، Pakistan wind energy