CFD-Based Aerodynamic Optimization of Vehicle-Mounted Axial Wind Turbine Blades

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions has encouraged the development of renewable energy technologies that can be integrated into various applications, including transportation systems. Wind energy generated from vehicle-induced airflow represents an alternative energy source that remains underutilized due to complex aerodynamic characteristics and unstable flow conditions. This study aimed to optimize the aerodynamic performance of vehicle-mounted axial wind turbine blades by determining the most suitable angle of attack using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The research method involved numerical analysis using CFD software to evaluate the aerodynamic behavior of turbine blades under different angle-of-attack variations of 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, and 20°. Performance evaluation was conducted based on the lift-to-drag ratio and velocity contour distribution to identify the optimal blade configuration. The results showed that the angle of attack significantly affected aerodynamic performance, with the 10° configuration producing the highest lift-to-drag ratio and the most favorable airflow characteristics. Higher angles of attack resulted in increased flow separation and aerodynamic losses, whereas lower angles produced insufficient lift generation. The optimized turbine design consisted of six blades with a rotor diameter of 0.35 m, demonstrating the potential application of vehicle-induced airflow energy harvesting systems. In conclusion, CFD-based optimization provided an effective approach for improving the performance of vehicle-mounted wind turbine blades and supported future development of renewable energy technologies for sustainable transportation applications.