Shape Optimization of Wind Turbine Airfoils by Genetic Algorithm

Abstract—Wind Turbine airfoil was optimized by a new genetic method so that its performance increases. A new method was proposed to optimize thin airfoils for use in wind turbine rotors. It is a common practice in the classic methods based on the genetic algorithms for airfoil shape optimizations, to use the computational fluid dynamics solvers. The main disadvantage of this method is the considerable running time for these algorithms. This disadvantage was significantly reduced by using the new technique. Comparing the results of the proposed algorithm with the classic ones approves its higher performance and lower computation time. Another advantage of this method is the reduced number of the design variables needed for optimization by inverse design method. The proposed modifications on the genetic algorithm offer a higher performance wind turbine blades faster than classic algorithms