Abstract
This study focuses on the starting performance of small Darrieus wind turbines. Numerical simulations of the starting torque acting on a stationary wind turbine were performed to determine the wing section and wing setting angle that optimize the starting performance. Three different wing types, NACA0018, NACA4418 with its camber facing outward, and NACA4418 with its camber facing inward, were used for the analysis. The following conclusions were obtained. (1) With the wing setting angle of 0 degrees, symmetric arrangement of NACA0018 airfoils generated the highest minimum starting torque among the three types of wings tested. (2) With NACA0018, the starting performance can be further improved by setting the wings at a 5-degree outward angle because of an increase in the minimum starting torque.
