PROSPECTS OF UTILIZING ADVANCED ALUMINUM MATRIX COMPOSITES (AMCS) IN SMALL WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS: MULTI-CRITERIA MATERIAL SELECTION AND LIFECYCLE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY

This paper investigates the prospects of utilizing advanced Aluminum Matrix Composites (AMCs) in small wind energy conversion systems (WECS). Small-scale horizontal-axis wind turbines, often deployed in urban or complex topographical environments, require materials capable of enduring high-cycle fatigue under turbulent, rapidly shifting wind vectors. While conventional fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) have been the industry standard, they present significant challenges regarding end-of-life recycling and environmental sustainability. Through the application of the Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) methodology, this study evaluates various materials, identifying particle-reinforced AMCs ($Al-SiC/Al_2O_3$) as the superior choice due to their exceptional specific stiffness and fatigue resistance. Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis demonstrates that hollow-core, internally ribbed AMC blade architectures effectively dampen aeroelastic twisting and optimize tip deflection. Furthermore, the high thermal conductivity of AMCs facilitates a $30^\circ\text{C}$ reduction in generator operating temperatures, while significantly lowering nacelle mass to enhance passive yaw tracking. Finally, the study highlights the inherent sustainability of AMCs, offering a 100% circular, closed-loop metallurgy pathway that avoids the downcycling issues associated with traditional composites, thereby positioning AMCs as a vital component for next-generation renewable energy infrastructure.