Enhanced wind energy harvesting through omnidirectional airflow metamaterial concentrators.

This article focuses on the design and numerical simulation of an omnidirectional airflow metamaterial concentrator lens aimed at enhancing wind energy harvesting efficiency. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools, including COMSOL Multiphysics and ANSYS Fluent, the study evaluates various structural configurations—such as airfoil, gradient, elliptical, and plate unit arrays—with the NACA0012 airfoil unit array in an 11-column circumferential arrangement demonstrating the highest wind velocity and energy density amplification (up to 360%). The findings suggest that this metamaterial-based concentrator can lower startup wind speeds and improve energy capture, offering a promising approach for wind power generation in low-wind-speed environments. The study recommends future experimental validation, scaling for practical applications, and consideration of environmental and manufacturing factors to advance the technology's commercial viability.