Aerodynamic Comparison of Conventional and Bioinspired Turbines for Enhanced Wind Energy Applications in Low Wind Conditions

Wind energy is projected to account for 35% of global production by 2050, with a significant contribution from large wind farms located in high-wind-speed areas. However, in low-wind regions, it is necessary to adapt turbines to maximize efficiency. This has led to the development of blades based on...

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Main Authors: Quesada-Bedoya Luis Felipe, Lebrun-Llano David, Espitia-Mesa Gabriel, Tamayo-Avendaño Jorge Mario, Osorio-Gómez Gilberto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EDP Sciences 2025-01-01
Series:E3S Web of Conferences
Online Access:https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2025/12/e3sconf_aere2025_01001.pdf
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author Quesada-Bedoya Luis Felipe
Lebrun-Llano David
Espitia-Mesa Gabriel
Tamayo-Avendaño Jorge Mario
Osorio-Gómez Gilberto
author_facet Quesada-Bedoya Luis Felipe
Lebrun-Llano David
Espitia-Mesa Gabriel
Tamayo-Avendaño Jorge Mario
Osorio-Gómez Gilberto
author_sort Quesada-Bedoya Luis Felipe
collection DOAJ
description Wind energy is projected to account for 35% of global production by 2050, with a significant contribution from large wind farms located in high-wind-speed areas. However, in low-wind regions, it is necessary to adapt turbines to maximize efficiency. This has led to the development of blades based on biomimetic principles, which improve performance in such conditions. To validate this approach, a comparative aerodynamic analysis is proposed between a conventional and a bio-inspired turbine. The proposed methodology involves using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) to predict the behavior of both designs. Variables such as power coefficients (Cp), thrust (Ct), axial force, and torque are evaluated, comparing the performance of the rotors under identical conditions. The goal is to determine the feasibility of bio-inspired turbines and their adaptation to horizontal-axis wind turbines at low wind speeds, starting from 2.5 m/s. The results, validated in CFD and BEMT simulations, show that bio-inspired turbines have up to 33% higher performance compared to conventional rotors, highlighting their potential to improve wind energy efficiency under adverse environmental conditions, especially in regions where wind speeds are low or inconsistent. This demonstrates the viability of bio-inspired designs in enhancing renewable energy technologies.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2267-1242
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher EDP Sciences
record_format Article
series E3S Web of Conferences
spelling doaj-art-6cdd80633fd24080a85413a99f09d7972025-02-05T10:51:05ZengEDP SciencesE3S Web of Conferences2267-12422025-01-016120100110.1051/e3sconf/202561201001e3sconf_aere2025_01001Aerodynamic Comparison of Conventional and Bioinspired Turbines for Enhanced Wind Energy Applications in Low Wind ConditionsQuesada-Bedoya Luis Felipe0Lebrun-Llano David1Espitia-Mesa Gabriel2Tamayo-Avendaño Jorge Mario3Osorio-Gómez Gilberto4Design Engineering Research Group (GRID), Universidad EAFITDesign Engineering Research Group (GRID), Universidad EAFITDesign Engineering Research Group (GRID), Universidad EAFITDesign Engineering Research Group (GRID), Universidad EAFITDesign Engineering Research Group (GRID), Universidad EAFITWind energy is projected to account for 35% of global production by 2050, with a significant contribution from large wind farms located in high-wind-speed areas. However, in low-wind regions, it is necessary to adapt turbines to maximize efficiency. This has led to the development of blades based on biomimetic principles, which improve performance in such conditions. To validate this approach, a comparative aerodynamic analysis is proposed between a conventional and a bio-inspired turbine. The proposed methodology involves using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) to predict the behavior of both designs. Variables such as power coefficients (Cp), thrust (Ct), axial force, and torque are evaluated, comparing the performance of the rotors under identical conditions. The goal is to determine the feasibility of bio-inspired turbines and their adaptation to horizontal-axis wind turbines at low wind speeds, starting from 2.5 m/s. The results, validated in CFD and BEMT simulations, show that bio-inspired turbines have up to 33% higher performance compared to conventional rotors, highlighting their potential to improve wind energy efficiency under adverse environmental conditions, especially in regions where wind speeds are low or inconsistent. This demonstrates the viability of bio-inspired designs in enhancing renewable energy technologies.https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2025/12/e3sconf_aere2025_01001.pdf
spellingShingle Quesada-Bedoya Luis Felipe
Lebrun-Llano David
Espitia-Mesa Gabriel
Tamayo-Avendaño Jorge Mario
Osorio-Gómez Gilberto
Aerodynamic Comparison of Conventional and Bioinspired Turbines for Enhanced Wind Energy Applications in Low Wind Conditions
E3S Web of Conferences
title Aerodynamic Comparison of Conventional and Bioinspired Turbines for Enhanced Wind Energy Applications in Low Wind Conditions
title_full Aerodynamic Comparison of Conventional and Bioinspired Turbines for Enhanced Wind Energy Applications in Low Wind Conditions
title_fullStr Aerodynamic Comparison of Conventional and Bioinspired Turbines for Enhanced Wind Energy Applications in Low Wind Conditions
title_full_unstemmed Aerodynamic Comparison of Conventional and Bioinspired Turbines for Enhanced Wind Energy Applications in Low Wind Conditions
title_short Aerodynamic Comparison of Conventional and Bioinspired Turbines for Enhanced Wind Energy Applications in Low Wind Conditions
title_sort aerodynamic comparison of conventional and bioinspired turbines for enhanced wind energy applications in low wind conditions
url https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2025/12/e3sconf_aere2025_01001.pdf
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