High-Reynolds-number wind turbine blade equipped with root spoilers – Part 2: Impact on energy production and turbine lifetime

Abstract. A wind turbine blade equipped with root spoilers is analysed using time domain aeroelastic element momentum (BEM) simulations to assess the impact of passive devices on annual energy production (AEP) and lifetime. Previous 2D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) showed a large unsteadiness in aerodynamic coefficients associated spoiler, such behaviour captured by OpenFAST when all degrees freedom are switched off. Once fully flexible, novel way account for aerofoil-generated fatigue calculation proposed detailed. The outcome shows that spoilers, average, can increase AEP turbine. However, structural impacts be severe if not accounted initially design.