ABSTRACT
The maximum efficiency aerodynamically of wind turbines with fixed blades can only be achieved in a limited wind speed range. To make the use of wind motors more efficient, it is necessary to widen their working envelope and maximise their power output. The concept of a curved blade is presented in this paper in order to develop a passive controlled wind turbine. A pitching moment, due to an eccentricity between the wing section’s shear centre and its aerodynamic centre, produce a blade twist proportional to the aerodynamic loads on the blade. This deflection produce a twist, which controls the angle of attack and is designed in order to maximise the power output and to reduce the aerodynamic loads.
A small-scale experimental curved blade rotor model is tested for first evidence. The influence of this design concept on the cost of the produced energy during the lifetime of the wind generator is examined.
