The global shift toward sustainable energy requires the optimization of renewable technologies such as wind turbines, particularly in regions with high potential but low utilization, such as Indonesia. This study addresses the critical challenge of selecting an optimal airfoil to enhance the efficiency of small-scale horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs). We numerically investigated the aerodynamic performance of three NACA airfoils (2412, 4412, and 6412) using computational fluid dynamics simulations. A key novelty of this work is that it evaluates the influence of two commonly used turbulence models (RNG k-ε and SST k-ω) on performance prediction accuracy. The RNG k-ε model demonstrated superior consistency, providing more reliable predictions across all airfoils. While NACA 4412 achieved the highest peak lift-to-drag ratio (146.4) in static analysis, its performance degraded under dynamic HAWT operation due to a narrow stall margin. By contrast, NACA 6412 delivered the highest overall turbine performance, with a peak power coefficient (CP) of 57.14% at a tip speed ratio of 7, outperforming the other airfoils in torque and power generation. Analysis of variance confirmed that airfoil type and λ significantly influence CP. This research concludes that for HAWT design, airfoil selection should prioritize a stable lift-to-drag ratio over a wide range of attack angles rather than a high but narrow peak, with NACA 6412 being the most suitable choice among those tested.Research Highlights<UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> Identified NACA 6412 as the optimal airfoil for small-scale HAWTs, achieving a peak CP of 57.14%. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Demonstrated superiority of the RNG k-ε turbulence model over SST k-ω for consistent HAWT performance prediction. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Found that a high static lift-to-drag ratio does not guarantee superior dynamic turbine performance if the stall characteristic is abrupt. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Quantified the significant influence of airfoil type and tip speed ratio on turbine efficiency via analysis of variance. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Provided practical guidelines for airfoil selection based on aerodynamic stability for small-scale wind energy applications. </ItemContent> </UnorderedList>

Hydraulic behavior of HAWT on a small scale with differences in the blade configuration by computational method

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发表日期：

2025年12月24日

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Dewi Puspita Sari,
Imam Syofii,
Kaprawi Sahim,
Megawati Megawati,
Muhammad Alhudari,
Ahmad Fudholi,
Amir Arifin,
Gunawan Gunawan,
Dendy Adanta,
Kamaruzzaman Sopian

摘要

The global shift toward sustainable energy requires the optimization of renewable technologies such as wind turbines, particularly in regions with high potential but low utilization, such as Indonesia. This study addresses the critical challenge of selecting an optimal airfoil to enhance the efficiency of small-scale horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs). We numerically investigated the aerodynamic performance of three NACA airfoils (2412, 4412, and 6412) using computational fluid dynamics simulations. A key novelty of this work is that it evaluates the influence of two commonly used turbulence models (RNG k-ε and SST k-ω) on performance prediction accuracy. The RNG k-ε model demonstrated superior consistency, providing more reliable predictions across all airfoils. While NACA 4412 achieved the highest peak lift-to-drag ratio (146.4) in static analysis, its performance degraded under dynamic HAWT operation due to a narrow stall margin. By contrast, NACA 6412 delivered the highest overall turbine performance, with a peak power coefficient (C_P) of 57.14% at a tip speed ratio of 7, outperforming the other airfoils in torque and power generation. Analysis of variance confirmed that airfoil type and λ significantly influence C_P. This research concludes that for HAWT design, airfoil selection should prioritize a stable lift-to-drag ratio over a wide range of attack angles rather than a high but narrow peak, with NACA 6412 being the most suitable choice among those tested.

Research Highlights

Identified NACA 6412 as the optimal airfoil for small-scale HAWTs, achieving a peak C_P of 57.14%.

Demonstrated superiority of the RNG k-ε turbulence model over SST k-ω for consistent HAWT performance prediction.

Found that a high static lift-to-drag ratio does not guarantee superior dynamic turbine performance if the stall characteristic is abrupt.

Quantified the significant influence of airfoil type and tip speed ratio on turbine efficiency via analysis of variance.

Provided practical guidelines for airfoil selection based on aerodynamic stability for small-scale wind energy applications.