Opportunities for Utilizing Vortex Generators on Vertical Axis Ocean Current Turbines: A Review

Abstract

Researchers have studied vertical axis turbines (VATs) for their low power efficiency, focusing on the turbine blades, selecting suitable airfoils, modifying the original airfoil shape, and adding other devices to the blades. The proposed method is to add a passive vortex generator device, which generates vortex flow to delay the separation flow at the surface, thereby increasing efficiency. Initially, VGs were used on aircraft wings to improve stability and performance efficiency; later, they were developed for other transport industries, such as cars, trucks, high-speed trains, and ships. In the renewable energy sector, VGs are used to improve turbine performance and efficiency. The research aims to obtain comprehensive information on the effect of using VG on vertical-axis ocean current turbines. To achieve this goal, we collected articles related to VG, reviewed the published articles on VG research on wind turbines and marine current turbines, then analysed the research results and determined the results based on the research methodology. At present, research has been developed to obtain the shape, dimension, and configuration of VG suitable for a vertical-axis ocean current turbine. The research is carried out in stages, which currently prioritize the shape and VG dimensions used in VAT with NACA 0021 blades, followed by the development of VG configuration research on VAT blades.