Case Study: Pointwise achieves automated VAWT aerodynamic optimization (26% COP) with CAESES

Aerodynamic Optimization of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Pointwise, the US-based mesh generation company, faced the challenge of supporting an automated workflow to study and optimize the aerodynamics of a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT). The goal was to generate high-quality 2D meshes in batch mode and integrate those meshes into an automated optimization loop—so Pointwise’s meshing capability needed to be linked with external simulation and design tools. CAESES was used as the integration and optimization platform to connect Pointwise’s scripts with the rest of the toolchain.

CAESES implemented a scripted workflow that exported IGES geometry, ran Pointwise Glyph scripts to produce PolyMesh files for OpenFOAM, and linked results via two software connectors to perform automated design variations and optimization. Using NSGA-II to optimize pitch, camber, camber position, thickness and chord at 10 m/s (TSR 0.5, radius 0.6 m), CAESES produced a best design with a coefficient of performance (COP) of 26% and delivered a working 2D optimization prototype ready to be extended to 3D.

Pointwise