Rapid multidisciplinary, multi-objective optimization of composite horizontal-axis wind turbine blade

Abstract

A fast and efficient process of integrated design (both aerodynamic and structural) of a composite horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) blade is presented. Multi-objective optimization using a nondeterministic particle swarm method (PSO) has been performed on a composite blade of constant radius to achieve maximal AEP (annual energy production) while keeping minimal blade mass and tip deflection. Outlet parameters include: twist and chord distributions along the blade as well as ply numbers and orientations. A combination of glass and carbon fibers is considered. In the constrained version of this multi-criteria assessment, constraint was defined according to blade failure index. Aerodynamic performances of the blade were estimated by a combined BEMT (blade element momentum theory) approach, while structural computations were performed using finite element method. Although presented results provide insight into the possible values of optimized parameters, the paper also demonstrates the difficulty of simultaneous satisfaction of this many different criteria (both cost functions and constrains).