Can someone please explain the aerodynamics of a horizontal-axis wind turbine?

Question

To explain the results of a science experiment, I need information on how one model turbine blade design (a pentagon) produces more electricity than others (trapezoid and rectangle). However, I don't quite understand the aerodynamic aspect of it all. Websites I have visited consist of formulas and descriptions of the standard example, an airplane's wings. However, this is not helping me in the least with figuring out how aerodynamics affects wind turbine electricity generation. Could someone please explain the aerodynamics of this type of wind turbine in simplistic terms? Much appreciated!

*Please disregard mention of pentagons, rectangles and trapeziods. Thanks!*

Answer 1

I'm not sure what you are asking, however if I'm on target then just have fun. take a look at this first (http://www.awea.org/faq/basicop.html)

1. The blade of a turbine is modeled after an airplane wing since it behaves like one and just like in a wing we are after lift and drag. As you have probably found out that the computations could be a bit cumbersome. The best is to consider several sections of the blade and then superimpose their contributions to the total; effect. (refer to wing design http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/Experiment1.htm)

2. The more blades it has the better it will perform however the diminishing returns will be on the rise since the complexity of manufacturing and balancing will increase with number of blades. Three is usually nominal number. The turbines that contain a multitude of blades are delight for lower speeds.

3. The power of the wind is converted into mechanical rotation of the blades and then this mechanical energy is converted to electricity.