Simulation-Based Analysis of Adaptive Blade Pitch Control for offshore Wind Turbines

Abstract

The aerodynamic efficiency and structural stability of offshore wind turbines are strongly influenced by the blade pitch angle, which governs the balance between lift generation and load mitigation. This study presents a simulation-based analysis of adaptive blade pitch control for offshore wind turbines using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A three-bladed horizontal-axis turbine was modeled in COMSOL Multiphysics, adopting scaled parameters from the NREL 5 MW reference design. The aerodynamic behavior was simulated across wind speeds of 5–20 m/s for pitch angles of 0°, 10°, and 20°, and the resulting pressure fields were coupled into FEA simulations to evaluate stress and deformation responses. Results revealed that the 10° adaptive pitch configuration provided the most favorable balance between aerodynamic efficiency and structural integrity, achieving a higher lift-to-drag ratio compared to the fixed-pitch (0°) setup while reducing overall blade stress and tip deformation by more than 25%. The findings confirm that moderate adaptive pitch adjustment can enhance energy capture at low wind speeds while mitigating fatigue loads at higher velocities, aligning with prior work by Muljadi and Butterfield (2000) and Lara et al. (2023). The CFD–FEA coupling approach proved effective in quantifying aero-structural interactions, providing a computationally efficient framework for evaluating turbine design strategies. This study highlights the importance of simulation-driven design for optimizing offshore wind turbine performance and supports the integration of adaptive pitch mechanisms to improve operational reliability, extend service life, and ensure stable power generation under varying offshore wind conditions.