Perspectives of Peridynamic Theory in Wind Turbines Computational Modeling

The applications of wind turbines are consistently increasing across the globe. Competent and sustainable wind energy harnessing inherently requires the implementation of optimal design and advanced materials. To minimize all the risks associated with severe environmental loadings, reduced cost, and improved performance, advanced computational methodologies should be utilized as a part of the analysis process. The recently introduced non-local theory called Peridynamic (PD) theory crafted by Silling has interesting advantages over the conventional computational method such as the finite element method (FEM) and finite volume method (FVM). PD theory is a computational and theoretical framework where partial differential equations (PDEs) of classic continuum theory are replaced by integral equations. Unlike the local continuum theory, the integro-differential equations of PD theory are without derivatives of displacement function, hence suitable to capture discontinuities. Therefore, the present paper reviews the structural and aerodynamics of wind turbines, the existing computational challenges that are related to the modeling and analysis of wind turbines, and finally examines the potential use of Peridynamic theory concerning wind turbines.