Wind tunnel

Statistics

Airfoil

Parametric statistics

Electrical engineering

Physics

Engineering

Aerodynamics

Vortex generator

Vortex

Aerospace engineering

Marine engineering

Turbine blade

Turbine

Mathematics

Mechanics

Stall (fluid mechanics)

Wind power

Ocean Engineering

The aerodynamic performance of newly planned as well as existing wind turbines can be improved by eliminating stall. Vortex generators (VGs) can effectively delay air separation occurring on the inboard-section of the wind turbine blade. Many scholars have investigated the principle of VGs in terms of flow control and validated their ability to enhance efficiency. This paper provides a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art VGs that have been tested in the wind turbine field. The basic principle of VG-related flow control is first illustrated, followed by reviews of previous studies regarding the effects of geometric parameters on VG behavior, the effects of VGs on dedicated airfoils for wind turbines, and parametric VG models. The paper also discusses aerodynamic factors impacting the behavior of VGs on wind turbine blades. Future research directions are proposed.

Researches on vortex generators applied to wind turbines: A review