A vortex lattice program for steady state aerodynamic analysis of wind turbine blade load.

Abstract

This paper presents a revised MATLAB program for estimating the subsonic aerodynamic characteristics of an optimal design of wind turbine blades using the Vortex Lattice Method (VLM). The aerodynamic characteristics of interest are mainly pressure distribution and aerodynamic loads, but lift, rolling moment, pitching moments are also investigated. The program is developed and revised to evaluate the viability of using the VLM to carry out virtual tests in order to obtain consistent and confident data for the structural design of the wind turbine blades. Numerical results are presented, compared with classical results of the literature and discussed.