Blade Aerodynamic Performance Upgrades

Every wind turbine blade can be optimised. This is a bold statement but it is based on a number of factors that apply in varying degrees to all turbines: surface contamination and erosion, limitations and assumptions of standard design tools, design compromises to meet time/cost deadlines, adherence to standard wind classifications, and continual development of new technology. How can we go about optimising a blade that has already been installed? This article will describe the different technical methods and solutions available to extract more energy from a rotor, enabling wind turbines to deliver more revenue to their owners and to contribute more to global carbon reduction targets.