  Efficiency increase is seen as one of the main goals in any energy converting
device. In this direction, the present study aims to demonstrate that
large-scale wind turbines can still be improved in order to generate larger
amounts of energy. The research presented in this manuscript consists of two
main blocks. Initially, it analyzes via Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) the
boundary layer dynamics on a set of pre-determined airfoils cut along the
DTU-10MW reference blade by using the 2D URANS k omega SST turbulence model.
The aim of this initial stage is to identify the boundary layer separation
point, its associated frequency, and peak to peak amplitude for each airfoil
cut along the blade, evaluating as well their respective aerodynamic
characteristics. The second main goal of the present research consists of
implementing the Active Flow Control (AFC) technology and, when employing
synthetic jets, to reattach the boundary layer in all airfoils where it is
separated. To accomplish this second goal efficiently, the five parameters
associated to the AFC implementation performed to each airfoil will be obtained
through respective genetic algorithm optimizations. An energy assessment is
finally undertaken at each airfoil to validate the respective energy gain
obtained. When comparing the net power gain, before and after AFC
implementation, generated by each of the airfoils evaluated, net power gains
between 23 and 36KW are obtained in all airfoils analyzed, clarifying that the
proposed technology is capable of improving the performance of the wind
turbines, very likely at any operating condition.
