Nowadays, wind energy plays a central role in the renewable energy production, and the optimization of wind turbine performance is the focus of current research studies. In this context, morphing trailing edge system could be a promising solution to enhance wind turbine blades' aerodynamic performance. In this paper, an innovative morphing trailing edge system was designed, developed, and tested to improve the performance of a wind turbine blade airfoil. The trailing edge deformation is electrically operated through piezoelectric actuators and a compliant surface. Wind tunnel tests were performed for the sake of system validation at Reynolds number equal to 1.75×105 and 3.5×105 and an angle of attack ranging from −8° to 8°. The results put in evidence the effectiveness of the proposed morphing trailing edge system to enhance the aerodynamic performance. The trailing edge deformation allows to increase or decrease the lift coefficient. The mean percentage difference of lift coefficient was found equal to −83.6% and 68.4% for an upward and downward deflection, respectively. Meanwhile, the drag coefficient does not have a significant variation. Consequently, the aerodynamic efficiency will be increased or decreased keeping the angle of attack unchanged. The mean percentage difference of efficiency was found equal to −83.2% and 77.5% for an upward and downward deflection, respectively. In this way, it would be possible to optimize wind turbine blades' efficiency and production under different operating conditions.

中文翻译：

---

用于改善风力涡轮机叶片性能的变形后缘装置的实验评估

如今，风能在可再生能源生产中发挥着核心作用，风力发电机性能的优化是当前研究的重点。在这种情况下，变形后缘系统可能是增强风力涡轮机叶片空气动力学性能的有前途的解决方案。在本文中，设计、开发和测试了一种创新的变形后缘系统，以提高风力涡轮机叶片翼型的性能。后缘变形通过压电致动器和柔顺表面进行电动操作。为了在雷诺数等于1.75×105和3.5×105以及攻角范围为-8°至8°的条件下进行系统验证，进行了风洞测试。结果证明了所提出的变形后缘系统在增强空气动力性能方面的有效性。后缘变形允许增加或减少升力系数。发现向上和向下偏转的升力系数的平均百分比差异分别等于-83.6%和68.4%。同时，阻力系数没有显着变化。因此，在保持迎角不变的情况下，空气动力效率将增加或减少。发现向上和向下偏转的平均效率百分比差异分别等于-83.2%和77.5%。通过这种方式，可以在不同的运行条件下优化风力涡轮机叶片的效率和产量。