New publication combining numerical methods to design wind turbine blades

April 24, 2026

2026   ·   Publications

A new scientific article has been published in the special issue “Cutting-Edge Applications of Wind Turbine Aerodynamics” from the journal Machines entitled:

“Aerodynamic Design and Performance Analysis of Micro-Scale Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine Blades with Endplate Addition Using a Multi-Fidelity CFD Framework”

This study explores the applicability of some of the numerical methodologies developed in the ENOLA project for designing UAV propellers on the wind energy field.

Objective of the research

Balancing computational cost and model fidelity is a key aspect in any design process. This research:

  • Compares the computational cost of four different CFD models: Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT), BEMT+3D corrections (QBlade), 3D steady Moving Reference Frame (MRF) and 3D unsteady Sliding Mesh (SM).
  • Studies the limitations of each one of the models establishing their applicability limits
Figure 1. Power coefficient versus tip speed ratio curves for the Bergey blade geometry obtained using different computational methods
  • Validates steady and unsteady CFD models against experimental data
Figure 2. Pressure coefficient distributions along the chord at different working conditions for (a) MRF simulations at a 46.6% span; (b) MRF simulations at 80% span; (c) SM simulations at 46.6% span; and (d) SM simulations at 80% span.
  • Implements endplates in a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine and asseses their impact in performance using CFD
Figure 3. Velocity magnitude colormap with streamlines in spanwise view for configurations without (top) and with (bottom) the endplate. Recirculation zone highlighted in red

Contributions to the ENOLA project

The presented results increase the range of applicability of the methodologies developed within the ENOLA framework, establishing the differences in computational cost and fidelity and their respect limitations in the wind energy field.

This development extends the impact of the ENOLA project to other external aerodynamics fields. The full publication is available here.