ZB ee epee SB SB SB eB Se ee ae ese a 2 SERI/TR-11045-1 UC Category: 60 Darrieus Wind Turbine Airfoil Configurations A Subcontract Report Paul G. Migliore John R. Fritschen Melior Corporation Davis, California June 1982 Prepared under Subcontract No. AE-1-1045-1 SERI Technical Monitor: Richard L. Mitchell Solar Energy Research Institute A Division of Midwest Research Insitute 1617 Cole Boulevard Golden, Colorado 80401 Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy Contract No, EG-77-C-01-4042(@ @ SP SB SB BR eB eB BE Be ee RB ee a FOREWORD This document summarizes the work performed between Feb. 27, 1981 and July 31, 1981 under SERE Subcontract No. AB-1-1045-1, "Darrieus Wind Turbine Airfoil Configurations". | The SET subcontract administrator was lori A. Miranda, and the technical monitor was Richard L. Mitchell. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of blade airfoil section on the aerodynamic efficiency and annual energy output of Darrieus wind turbines. At least one airfoil family, the NACA é-series, can provide a significantly greater annual energy output than the NACA 4-digit airfoils normally chosen for Darrieus turbines. What MELEE Richard L. Mitchell Technical MonitorPewee ae se eS Ss ee ee ee nes & SUMMARY. ‘The purpose of this study was to determine what aerodynamic performance improvement, if any, could be achieved by judiciously choosing the airfoil sections for Darrieus wind turbine blades. Analysis was limited to machines using two blades of infinite aspect ratio, having rotor solidities from seven to twenty-one percent, and operating at maximum Reynolds numbers of approximately three million. Ten different airfoils, having thickness to chord ratios of twelve, fifteen and eighteen percent, were investigated. Performance calculations indicated that the NACA 6-series airfoils yield peak Power coefficients at least as great as the NACA four-digit airfoils which have historically been chosen for Darrieus turbines, Furthermore, the power coefficient-tip speed ratio curves were broader and flatter for the 6-series airfoils. Sample calculations for an NACA 632-015 airfoil showed an annual energy output increase of 17% to 278, depending upon rotor solidity, compared to an NACA 0015 airfoil. An attempt was made to account for the flow curvature effects associated with Darrieus turbines by transforming the NACA 632-015 airfoil to an appropriate shape.