Advances in Small Wind Turbines: From Aerodynamics and Structural Dynamics to Energy Storage Design

Small wind turbines, typically designed for household or community-scale applications, are emerging as a vital component of decentralized renewable energy systems for both urban and rural environments. While large-scale wind farms have achieved high levels of maturity, smaller systems still face challenges in aerodynamic efficiency, structural robustness, and reliable integration with other energy and storage systems. These challenges are particularly acute in low- and middle-income regions, where small wind power offers an alternative to air-polluting diesel generation and unreliable grid connections. Advances in blade aerodynamics, innovative structural materials, and intelligent control are enabling more efficient operation under variable wind conditions. Coupling small wind turbines with energy storage, hybrid renewable systems, and applications such as water pumping can significantly improve energy resilience, affordability, and sustainability, supporting global efforts towards clean energy access and reduced carbon emissions.

Goal:

The aim of this research topic is to bring together high-quality studies that advance our understanding of small wind turbine design, performance, and integration. By collecting work from across the international research community, the issue will highlight the latest developments in aerodynamics, structural design, control strategies, and hybrid energy systems. A key focus is on solutions that maintain efficiency in variable wind conditions and that can be combined effectively with other renewable sources and storage technologies. We particularly welcome contributions addressing the needs of both urban and rural settings, including applications such as water pumping and microgrids (not an inclusive list). Through this collection, we seek to provide a comprehensive resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, promoting the exchange of ideas and supporting the wider adoption of small wind energy systems worldwide.

Scope and Information for Authors:

This Research Topic will cover advances in the aerodynamic, structural, and control aspects of small wind turbines, as well as their integration with energy storage and hybrid renewable systems. We welcome contributions on, but not limited to:

• innovative blade profiles, rotor configurations, and structural materials
• novel control algorithms, including maximum power point tracking
• system-level design for coupling wind generation with solar, hydro, or other complementary sources.

Studies addressing performance under variable or low-wind conditions, cost-effective manufacturing, and operation in both grid-connected and off-grid settings are particularly encouraged. We also invite contributions on resource assessment, as small wind projects encounter distinctive challenges compared with large-scale turbines, and on innovative rotor designs, recognizing the wider range of layouts available for small turbines, including vertical-axis and diffuser-augmented configurations. Field deployments, computational and experimental validation, and interdisciplinary approaches linking fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, control engineering, and energy systems are of particular interest. Authors may submit original research articles, technical reports, methods papers, and reviews. Submissions offering insights into policy, economics, education, or industry engagement relevant to small wind technology are also welcome. This list is indicative rather than exhaustive.