Wissem Zghal

The use of 3D printing is expanding in manufacturing wind turbine blades for renewable energy. This study examines the relationship between geometric parameters, mechanical strength, and aerodynamic performance in blades made from short carbon fiber-reinforced PLA (SCFR-PLA) composites. To achieve this, it includes a comparative evaluation of innovative blade designs and materials, aiming to enhance both the energy efficiency and mechanical durability of horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs). The numerical model of the wind turbine blade is validated against experimental results, which employed a NACA geometry and ABS polymer. Building upon this validation, a design of experiments (DOE) analysis is employed to explore the influence of fused filament fabrication (FFF) parameters on the mechanical properties of SCFR-PLA composites. A novel blade design, referred to as HAWTSav, is numerically evaluated using 3D-printed SCFR-PLA composites. Numerical simulations are conducted to evaluate the energy efficiency and structural integrity of the HAWTSav blade. A comparative analysis is then performed, contrasting the performance of the conventional NACA blade in ABS with the HAWTSav blade in SCFR-PLA composites. The findings highlight the potential of SCFR-PLA composites in the development of efficient and durable wind turbine blades, highlighting their applicability, particularly in small-scale wind energy systems.

Tunisia has a considerable saline water resources and a so important solar potential. Therefore, the desalination of brackish water by reverse osmosis using the photovoltaic energy presents a reliable solution to produce drinking water so solving the shortage problem of the healthy water. For our study, we have chosen to work in the tourism sector which is considered among the big consumers of water by the SONEDE (National Society of Exploitation and Distribution of Waters). In this context, our research work is situated its objective is the optimization and the modeling of an autonomous station for desalination of brackish water by reverse osmosis powered by a photovoltaic generator to produce water to a hotel situated in the Djerba Island.

Solar energy technologies offer a clean and renewable energy source, and are essential components of a sustainable energy future. In the design and evaluation of solar energy, information on solar radiation at a given location is needed. The principal objective of this study is the determination of solar energy characteristics anywhere and anytime. Mathematical models are exploited to analyze the solar energy characteristics in Sfax, Tunisia. These models present an estimation of the Sun position according to the considered site, a determination of the recovered solar energy and an evaluation of the electric energy produced by a photovoltaic surface. A comparison between theoretical and measured values has been presented to validate the mathematical expressions. An analysis of the influence of the incline angle on the recovered solar energy quantity is achieved. We affirmed that the general optimal angle, for all year round, will be equal to the latitude angle of the considered site. For a better optimization, the optimal angle for every month has been determined. In addition, to present the conversion phenomenon of the solar energy in electricity, a study of the produced photovoltaic energy by four different types of panels is elaborated.