APPLICATION OF A GENETIC ALGORITHM TO WIND TURBINE DESIGN

This paper presents an optimization method for stall-regulated horizon tal-axis wind turbines. A hybrid approach is used that combines the ad vantages of a genetic algorithm with an inverse design method This met hod is used to determine the optimum blade pitch and blade chord and t wist distributions that maximize the annual energy production. To illu strate the method, a family of 25 wind turbines was designed to examin e the sensitivity of annual energy production to changes in the rotor blade length and peak rotor power. Trends are revealed that should aid in the design of new rotors for existing turbines. la the second appl ication, five wind turbines were designed to determine the benefits of specifically tailoring wind turbine blades for the average wind speed at a particular site. The results have important practical implicatio ns related to rotors designed for the Midwestern US versus those where the average wind speed may be greater.