The study introduces an effective method to improve power
generation of VAWTs. A specially-designed wind booster is able to
improve mechanical performance of the VAWT at low speed wind
conditions. It can be observed in CFD analysis that the VAWT can
rotate faster when it is equipped with a wind booster. Also, it can
produce higher mechanical power. With optimization, the optimal
design of a wind booster is found. The VAWT with an optimal wind
booster is capable of producing mechanical power that is even higher
than the original one. The CFD model is confirmed by very good
agreement with experimental results of the optimal wind booster under
real wind conditions at low speed. The proposed methodology could be
adapted to any type of VAWT, which helps to overcome the limitations
of very low power at weak speed wind, particularly, in Thailand.