Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Blade Aerodynamics in Experiments and Modeling

Turbine aerodynamics remains a challenging and crucial research area for wind energy. Blade aerodynamic forces responsible for power production must be augmented to maximize energy capture. At the same time, adverse aerodynamic loads that fatigue turbine components need to be mitigated to extend machine service life. Successful resolution of these conflicting demands and continued cost of energy reduction require accurate blade aerodynamic models. This, in turn, depends on clear physical understanding and reliable numerical modeling of rotational augmentation and dynamic stall, the two phenomena principally responsible for amplified turbine blade aerodynamic loads. The current work examines full-scale turbine blade aerodynamic measurements and current modeling methodologies to better understand the physical and numerical attributes that determine model performance.