Optimizing Wind Turbine Airfoil Design Using Genetic Algorithm and Predicting Aerodynamic Performance Through CFD Analysis

Abstract

In this study, we present an optimized aerodynamic design of the widely recognized wind turbine profile NREL S809. The optimization is focused on achieving the best glide ratio while preserving the basic properties of the original profile. The optimization procedure was carried out using MATLAB software. The code developed is a combination of the genetic algorithm and the XFOIL software, whose main function is to calculate the lift and drag coefficients for angles attack between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for a Reynolds number of 10 6 . This optimization employs a parametrization method defined by two analytical equations, which accurately define a set of 2D geometries ideally adapted for representing aerodynamic profiles. The aerodynamic performance of the new optimized profile OP-21 is reviewed against the original one. The new OP-21 achieved a 20.5% rise in the maximum lift and a 34.49% gain in the glide ratio. This validates the reliability of the optimization method employed in this work. In addition, a steady-state computational fluid dynamics analysis is performed on both the S809 and the OP-21 aerodynamic profiles, employing Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations coupled with the [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] SST turbulence model. The results are validated through comparison with experiments.