Investigation on performance of improved savonius rotor: An overview

Savonius type wind turbine is considered suitable for power generation from low speed fluid flows i.e. canal and river systems. However it suffers from a poor efficiency. Lot of hydro potential in canal and rivers exists in India where Savonius type rotor as hydrokinetic turbine may be used. In order to minimize the static torque deviation and to enhance the performance of Savonius Rotor, continual efforts were made to improve the geometry of its blade profiles. Under various studies, Savonius turbine blade profiles were investigated by modifying the shape of the blade and by designing new shapes of blades. This paper presents an overview of Savonius turbine blade profile designs and performance of different blade profiles investigated under the various studies. As per the twist angle, helical rotor with α = 180° is found as the best in terms of coefficient of power. Among the different blade profiles, two bladed Savonius style wind turbine (SSWT) yields 0.31 as maximum coefficient of power.