Articles | Volume 10, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-2925-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-2925-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
08 Dec 2025
Research article |
| 08 Dec 2025
| 08 Dec 2025
Experimental study of transonic flow over a wind turbine airfoil
Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2629HS Delft, the Netherlands
Maria Cristina Vitulano
Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2629HS Delft, the Netherlands
Delphine De Tavernier
Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2629HS Delft, the Netherlands
Ferdinand Schrijer
Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2629HS Delft, the Netherlands
Bas van Oudheusden
Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2629HS Delft, the Netherlands
Dominic von Terzi
Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2629HS Delft, the Netherlands
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optimalexcitation frequency is heavily platform dependent.
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Short summary
This study is the first to experimentally test how wind turbine blades behave at near-supersonic speeds, a condition expected in the largest turbines. In the experiments, we observed unstable and potentially detrimental shock waves that become stronger at higher speeds and angles. Basic prediction tools in wind turbine design miss these details, highlighting the need for better tools and experiments to understand the extreme conditions faced by modern wind turbines.
This study is the first to experimentally test how wind turbine blades behave at near-supersonic...
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