Enhanced wind energy harvesting through omnidirectional airflow metamaterial concentrators

Wind energy generation is constrained by low density and intermittency. To address these challenges, this study proposes an omnidirectional airflow metamaterial concentrator lens that utilizes a novel complex gradient structure inspired by metamaterial principles. The study's framework includes the design, simulation, and performance evaluation of the concentration lens under varying wind conditions. The lens amplifies the local flow energy density by up to 360% compared to the impinging influx. Numerical simulation analysis elucidates the underlying operational mechanism, demonstrating a significant reduction in the startup wind speed and increased energy capture efficiency. Results indicate that concentrator lens can enhance wind energy exploitation by improving the efficiency of energy capture and providing a viable solution to mitigate the limitations of current wind energy technologies.