Methods for Improving Lift Force of Wind Turbine Aerofoil Blades during Low Wind Speed Conditions – A Review

Abstract

Wind energy is one of the promising renewable energy resources. The challenges in utilizing the renewable energy sources are making them reliable with good efficiency. Wind turbine plays a major role in industrial power supply during heavy wind conditions. However, in domestic applications, the small scale wind turbine has major issue of low starting torque due to low wind speed near the ground surface. These conditions make the air motion as laminar flow with the Reynolds number less than 5x105. Hence, in some adverse condition there is a laminar flow separation which increases the drag and consequently reduces the lift force. This paper gives a comprehensive review on the investigations that are being carried out on low Reynolds number regime aerofoil and laminar separation bubble to enhance the lift force especially at low wind speed conditions.