Numerical assessment of the factors controlling the acoustic response of wind turbine blades

Abstract

The blades of wind turbine are the most critical parts of the wind turbine system, which contribute to noise generated by wind turbine due to excitation from air streams across them. In this numerical study, the effect of various design factors for both horizontal and vertical wind turbines is analysed in order to determine the most critical design factors. The knowledge of such information is important to control and reduce the noise level from wind turbine. The simulation results show that the pitch angle, which is the summation of angle of attack and twist angle, along with the height of air foil section have the most significant effect on the overall sound pressure level. The results also reveal that the overall sound pressure level is least sensitive to the size of the blade and shell thickness.