Optimizing small wind turbine blade design – A new solution for wind power in Vietnam
In wind power projects, optimized blade design plays a crucial role in enhancing the aerodynamic performance of the entire wind turbine, thereby improving kinetic energy capture from wind and boosting economic efficiency. However, most large-scale wind turbine blade designs currently focus on high-wind areas, leaving low-wind regions largely untapped. Advanced simulation tools such as FAST, XFOIL, and Ansys Fluent, combined with optimization algorithms, have supported blade design processes aimed at improving aerodynamic performance.
In Vietnam, large-scale wind power projects have been implemented in lowland, coastal and some other areas with favorable wind conditions, feeding power into the national grid. However, wind energy exploitation remains below its full potential, particularly in regions with medium to low wind speeds. At present, both large and small wind turbines are fully imported, leading to technical challenges during operation. Moreover, blade designs tailored to Vietnam’s specific climatic and geographical conditions, especially in low wind speed areas, have yet to be thoroughly developed.
In response, the research team led by Dr Le Quang Sang launched the project titled “Research on the Design, Simulation and Prototyping of Wind Turbine Blades Suitable for Low Wind Speeds in Vietnam” (project code: VAST07.01/22-23). The project aims to design and simulate wind turbine blades that operate efficiently under Vietnam’s characteristic low wind speed conditions, with the goal of improving operational performance, reducing production costs, and advancing technological self-reliance in renewable energy.
The shape of the original S1010 blade and the new VAST-EPU-S1010 blade
From Design to Application
Within the scope of the research, scientists at Institute of Energy and Environmental Science and Technology successfully developed new blade prototypes based on reference airfoils obtained from the website http://airfoiltools.com. These new designs were optimized in shape to enhance aerodynamic efficiency by adjusting parameters such as maximum thickness, location of maximum thickness, maximum camber, and location of maximum camber. Simulations using Ansys Fluent showed that the new blades achieved better aerodynamic performance than the original airfoil models. The research team also completed a full simulation and manufacturing process for real-life blade prototypes, which were tested and validated in the wind tunnel of the School of Mechanical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology. These blades not only improved aerodynamic efficiency but also paved the way for the development of small wind turbines suited for sustainable energy development in rural, remote, and low-wind regions.
The study successfully developed and manufactured five wind turbine blade prototypes, namely VAST-EPU-E387, VAST-EPU-S1010, VAST-EPU-S1223, VAST-EPU-NACA0009, and VAST-EPU-NACA6409, with dimensions ranging from 25 x 15 (10) x (3–5) cm. The blades were made from composite materials, ensuring durability and performance under low wind speed conditions, and are currently stored at the Institute. In addition, the team finalised five sets of detailed technical drawings for the new blades to support future research and application deployment.
Design and fabrication of the VAST-EPU-S1010 blade prototype
The research findings have been published in both national and international peer-reviewed journals, contributing to the understanding of recent scientific advancements. Notably, the paper titled “A Method to Design an Efficient Airfoil for Small Wind Turbines in Low Wind Speed Conditions Using XFLR5 and CFD Simulations”, published in Energies, Volume 17(16), 2024, presents an effective method for blade design under low wind speed conditions using CFD and XFLR5 software. The study made an important contribution to optimising wind turbine blade design for low-wind regions in Vietnam. Additional papers were published in internationally indexed journals (SCIE/Scopus) such as Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers and GMSARN International Journal, discussing aerodynamic analysis and the potential for offshore wind power development in Vietnam. The project also supported the training of one doctoral and one master’s student, thereby strengthening domestic research and development capacity.
This research marks an important starting point for the continued improvement and development of wind turbine blades suited to low wind speed conditions in Vietnam, with the aim of more efficiently harnessing wind energy. Going forward, the research team will focus on refining the design and manufacturing process of complete blades—particularly in smoothing blade surfaces and selecting more suitable materials to reduce drag coefficients. In addition, the integration of modern tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) into the design process is being considered to further enhance aerodynamic performance. One of the next objectives is to develop a complete blade design for low-capacity wind turbines tailored to low wind speed conditions. The scientists are working diligently, with the hope of soon completing a viable blade solution to help tap wind energy more effectively and offer more practical options for regions with renewable energy needs in the near future.
Translated by Tuyet Nhung
Link to Vietnamese version
