Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Department of Mechanical Engineering, International Islamic University, Islamabad
Abstract
Wind energy constitutes a vital pillar of global decarbonisation strategy, with horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs) accounting for over 95% of installed capacity. This study addresses site-specific aerodynamic design and optimization of a 25-metre HAWT rotor blade tailored to the Jamshoro wind corridor, Pakistan, employing Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory within the QBlade v0.96 computational platform. Eight NACA 4-digit airfoils—symmetric 00xx series (0012, 0015, 0018, 0020) and cambered 55xx series (5512, 5515, 5518, 5520)—were systematically evaluated across Reynolds numbers from 4.0×10⁵ to 1.2×10⁶. Four distinct blade configurations were developed and benchmarked under Jamshoro site conditions (mean wind speed 9 m/s; operational range 5–14 m/s; rated rotational speed 25 RPM). The fully cambered 55xx blade achieved a maximum power coefficient Cₙ = 0.52 at tip-speed ratio TSR = 9, representing 88% of the theoretical Betz limit, generating 500 kW at mean conditions and 1,373 kW at 14 m/s. Symmetric designs were outperformed by 37%. A hybrid root–cambered tip configuration achieved 96% of peak performance. Parametric chord and twist studies confirm manufacturing tolerance of ±20% with less than 5% power variation, validating feasibility for emerging-market production. Peak aerodynamic loading (normal force 3,423 N; tangential force 45,077 N) occurs at 50–70% span, establishing structural design limits. Results support indigenous wind turbine manufacturing in Pakistan with 20–30% cost reduction, contributing to the national 30% renewable-electricity target by 2030.
Keywords
- Renewable energy sustainability
- Blade element momentum theory
- HAWT rotor blade optimization
- NACA airfoil aerodynamics
- Pakistan wind energy
Main Subjects
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