Date of Publication : June

Abstract: The increasing accumulation of plastic waste presents a significant environmental challenge, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions such as Chennai, India. Simultaneously, the wind energy sector faces sustainability concerns due to the limited recyclability of conventional blade materials such as glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites. This study presents a preliminary aero-structural simulation framework for evaluating sustainable shear web concepts for wind turbine blade applications.
A representative cantilever blade section based on a NACA 4414 airfoil profile was developed with an internal I-section shear web geometry. Aerodynamic, structural, and modal analyses were performed using COMSOL Multiphysics under a freestream airflow velocity of 25 m/s. Aluminum was used as a baseline material to validate the computational workflow and establish reference structural behavior. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were coupled with structural finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate pressure distribution, deformation, stress response, and the first six eigen modes of the blade section.
A Python-based automation framework was developed to streamline post-processing of simulation outputs, enabling automated extraction of stress and deformation. In addition, additive manufacturing design feasibility and nanotechnology-based reinforcement concepts for recycled plastics such as HDPE, PP, and PET were evaluated conceptually as future extensions of the framework.
The results demonstrate the successful implementation of an integrated aerodynamic, structural, and modal analysis workflow for wind turbine blade substructures. The developed methodology provides a scalable foundation for future comparative studies involving recycled thermoplastics and sustainable blade component design.

Reference :