This paper presents a numerical study of the optimization of the geometric parameters of a four-bladed Darrieus vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) with a NACA 0021 aerodynamic profile. The aim of the study was to increase the aerodynamic efficiency of the turbine by selecting optimal values of the rotor diameter and blade chord length. The Taguchi method using an orthogonal array was used as an optimization method, which reduced the number of necessary calculations from 77 to 20 while maintaining the reliability of the analysis. CFD modelling was performed in the ANSYS 2022 R2 Fluent software environment based on a two-dimensional non-stationary model, including a full rotor revolution and an analysis of the steady-state mode for the twentieth cycle. As a result of the analysis, the optimal parameters were determined: rotor diameter D = 3 m and chord length c = 0.4 m. Additionally, for the selected configuration, the numerical model was validated by constructing the dependence of the power coefficient Cp on the tip speed ratio λ in the range from 0.2 to 2.8. The maximum value of Cp was 0.35 at λ = 2.2, which is an increase of ~64% compared to the least efficient rotation mode in the considered range of λ. The obtained results allow us to conclude that the Taguchi method can be used in combination with CFD modelling for fast and accurate optimization of the aerodynamic parameters of low-power wind turbines.

In this study, we conducted experimental and numerical investigations of a Darrieus rotor with asymmetrical blades, which has two structural configurations—with and without horizontal parallel plates. Experimental tests were conducted in a wind tunnel at various air flow velocities (ranging from 3 m/s to 15 m/s), measuring rotor rotation frequency, torque, and thrust force. The computational simulation used the ANSYS 2022 R2 Fluent software package, where CFD simulations of air flow around both rotor configurations were performed. The calculations employed the Realizable k-ε turbulence model, while an unstructured mesh with local refinement in the blade–flow interaction zones was used for grid generation. The study results showed that the rotor with horizontal parallel plates exhibits higher aerodynamic efficiency at low wind velocities compared to the no-plates rotor. The experimental findings indicated that at wind speeds of 3–6 m/s, the rotor with plates demonstrates 18–22% higher torque, which facilitates the self-start process and stabilizes turbine operation. The numerical simulations confirmed that horizontal plates contribute to stabilizing the air flow by reducing the intensity of vortex structures behind the blades, thereby decreasing aerodynamic drag and minimizing energy losses. It was also found that the presence of plates creates a directed flow effect, increasing the lift force on the blades and improving the power coefficient (Cp). In the case of the rotor without plates, the CFD simulations identified significant low-pressure zones and high turbulence regions behind the blades, leading to increased aerodynamic losses and reduced efficiency. Thus, the experimental and numerical modeling results confirm that the Darrieus rotor with horizontal parallel plates is a more efficient solution for operation under low and variable wind conditions. The optimized design with plates ensures more stable flow, reduces energy losses, and increases the turbine’s power coefficient. These findings may be useful for designing small-scale wind energy systems intended for areas with low wind speeds.

This paper presents a comprehensive experimental and numerical investigation of the aerodynamics of a vertical-axis Darrieus wind turbine equipped with newly developed modified asymmetric blades intended to enhance performance at low and variable wind speeds. Using URANS modeling (SST k–ω) combined with full-scale testing, a detailed comparison was carried out against the classical NACA 0021 airfoil. The results show that the asymmetric profile increases starting torque by 30–40%, reduces negative torque by 20–25%, and decreases load pulsations by 15–20%, owing to the delayed onset of dynamic stall and the stabilization of the vortex wake structure. Within the optimal operating range of TSR = 2.5–4, an 18–22% increase in pressure differential is observed, resulting in a higher power coefficient; the maximum Cp reaches 0.15, exceeding that of the symmetric configuration by 20–25%. The agreement between CFD predictions and experimental measurements exceeds 95%, confirming the robustness of the numerical model employed. The findings clearly demonstrate the substantial effectiveness of the proposed blade geometry and its strong potential for next-generation VAWTs optimized for regions with low wind resources.