Small-Scale Wind Energy Conversion System  at Low Wind Speeds Using QBlade

Triwahju Hardianto; Widjonarko Widjonarko; Bambang Sujanarko; Devita Ayu Larasati

doi:10.33650/jeecom.v8i3.17807

Small-Scale Wind Energy Conversion System at Low Wind Speeds Using QBlade

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33650/jeecom.v8i3.17807

Authors

(1) * Triwahju Hardianto

(University of Jember)
        Indonesia
(2)  Widjonarko Widjonarko   (University of Jember)
        Indonesia
(3)  Bambang Sujanarko   (University of Jember)
        Indonesia
(4)  Devita Ayu Larasati   (University of Jember)
        Indonesia
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study aims to assess the aerodynamic performance and predicted power output of a 500 W small-scale wind energy conversion system under low-to-moderate wind speeds using QBlade version 2.0.8.6. A three-bladed horizontal-axis wind turbine with a 4 m rotor diameter was designed using the NACA 4412 airfoil for a design wind speed of 6 m/s and a tip-speed ratio (TSR) of approximately 6. Rotor and turbine performance were evaluated using Blade Element Momentum (BEM) simulations, considering Stall Control, Pitch Control, and Prescribed operating strategies. The rotor achieved a maximum power coefficient C_p of approximately 0.41 at a TSR of 5–6. Among the three strategies, Pitch Control maintained the nominal 500 W output at wind speeds above approximately 7 m/s. In contrast, Stall Control and Prescribed produced predicted outputs of 2317.35 W and 1980.30 W, respectively, at 15 m/s, exceeding the nominal power rating. A fixed pitch angle of 5°, a loss factor of 0.1, and fixed losses of 25 W were incorporated as modelling assumptions for the preliminary prediction of net output electrical power generation. These findings demonstrate that the selected power regulation strategy substantially influences the predicted power characteristics of a small-scale wind turbine. Pitch Control provides the most consistent output with the 500 W rating among the strategies investigated, while the other strategies require further assessment of power limitation under higher wind speeds. The results provide a numerical basis for evaluating small wind turbine performance in low-wind-speed applications.

Keywords

Small-scale wind turbine; Airfoil NACA 4412; Qblade 2.8.0.6; Blade Element Momentum; Turbine BEM

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