Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Control: Adaptive Flaps and Trailing-edge Splitter

Jianyu Wang; Jian Chen; Yu Zhang; Xinrong Su; Chun Li; Ying Wang

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11

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Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Control: Adaptive Flaps and Trailing-edge Splitter

Jianyu Wang, Jian Chen^*, Yu Zhang, Xinrong Su, Chun Li, Ying Wang

Published in International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering (Volume 15, Issue 1)

Received: 25 November 2025 Accepted: 15 December 2025 Published: 20 January 2026

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Abstract

Dynamic stall occurring the operation of vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) have attracted great attention in the field of wind power due to their detrimental effects on aerodynamic performance. Extensive flow control strategies have been conducted to alleviate the adverse effects of dynamic stall on aerodynamic performance. This study proposed the active control of adaptive flaps and innovatively introduced a trailing-edge splitter plate as a control method to improve the aerodynamic performance of VAWT. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is conducted to investigate the influence of two flow control methods on the aerodynamic performance of a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) 0015 airfoil and a VAWT. The findings indicate that the adaptive flap should be positioned at the trailing edge. An optimal deployment angle exists across various angles of attack (AOA), with the flap length of 0.15c determined as most effective for flow separation control at moderate Reynolds numbers. In pre-stall, the splitter plate achieves a maximum lift-drag ratio improvement of approximately 61.6% (l = 0.2c). Regarding the application effects of both flow control methods on the VAWT, the flaps can significantly reduce the vortex size near the blades and promote vortex shedding near the blades. At λ = 1.2-2.0, the flaps can improve the power coefficient factor of the VAWT by up to 42.5% (λ = 1.6).The splitter plate can increase the power coefficient of the VAWT by a maximum of about 29.4% (λ = 0.8) at low TSRs (λ = 0.4 to 1.2). At high TSRs (λ = 2.0 to 2.4), the splitter plate can increase the power coefficient by a maximum of about 25.8% (λ = 2.8).

Published in	International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering (Volume 15, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11
Page(s)	1-26
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Flow Control Technologies, Active Control Technologies, Aerodynamic Performance, VAWT

References

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APA Style

Wang, J., Chen, J., Zhang, Y., Su, X., Li, C., et al. (2026). Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Control: Adaptive Flaps and Trailing-edge Splitter. International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 15(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11

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ACS Style

Wang, J.; Chen, J.; Zhang, Y.; Su, X.; Li, C., et al. Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Control: Adaptive Flaps and Trailing-edge Splitter. Int. J. Energy Power Eng. 2026, 15(1), 1-26. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11

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AMA Style

Wang J, Chen J, Zhang Y, Su X, Li C, et al. Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Control: Adaptive Flaps and Trailing-edge Splitter. Int J Energy Power Eng. 2026;15(1):1-26. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11,
  author = {Jianyu Wang and Jian Chen and Yu Zhang and Xinrong Su and Chun Li and Ying Wang},
  title = {Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Control: Adaptive Flaps and Trailing-edge Splitter
},
  journal = {International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering},
  volume = {15},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-26},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepe.20261501.11},
  abstract = {Dynamic stall occurring the operation of vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) have attracted great attention in the field of wind power due to their detrimental effects on aerodynamic performance. Extensive flow control strategies have been conducted to alleviate the adverse effects of dynamic stall on aerodynamic performance. This study proposed the active control of adaptive flaps and innovatively introduced a trailing-edge splitter plate as a control method to improve the aerodynamic performance of VAWT. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is conducted to investigate the influence of two flow control methods on the aerodynamic performance of a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) 0015 airfoil and a VAWT. The findings indicate that the adaptive flap should be positioned at the trailing edge. An optimal deployment angle exists across various angles of attack (AOA), with the flap length of 0.15c determined as most effective for flow separation control at moderate Reynolds numbers. In pre-stall, the splitter plate achieves a maximum lift-drag ratio improvement of approximately 61.6% (l = 0.2c). Regarding the application effects of both flow control methods on the VAWT, the flaps can significantly reduce the vortex size near the blades and promote vortex shedding near the blades. At λ = 1.2-2.0, the flaps can improve the power coefficient factor of the VAWT by up to 42.5% (λ = 1.6).The splitter plate can increase the power coefficient of the VAWT by a maximum of about 29.4% (λ = 0.8) at low TSRs (λ = 0.4 to 1.2). At high TSRs (λ = 2.0 to 2.4), the splitter plate can increase the power coefficient by a maximum of about 25.8% (λ = 2.8).
},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Control: Adaptive Flaps and Trailing-edge Splitter

AU  - Jianyu Wang
AU  - Jian Chen
AU  - Yu Zhang
AU  - Xinrong Su
AU  - Chun Li
AU  - Ying Wang
Y1  - 2026/01/20
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11
T2  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
JF  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
JO  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
SP  - 1
EP  - 26
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2326-960X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11
AB  - Dynamic stall occurring the operation of vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) have attracted great attention in the field of wind power due to their detrimental effects on aerodynamic performance. Extensive flow control strategies have been conducted to alleviate the adverse effects of dynamic stall on aerodynamic performance. This study proposed the active control of adaptive flaps and innovatively introduced a trailing-edge splitter plate as a control method to improve the aerodynamic performance of VAWT. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is conducted to investigate the influence of two flow control methods on the aerodynamic performance of a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) 0015 airfoil and a VAWT. The findings indicate that the adaptive flap should be positioned at the trailing edge. An optimal deployment angle exists across various angles of attack (AOA), with the flap length of 0.15c determined as most effective for flow separation control at moderate Reynolds numbers. In pre-stall, the splitter plate achieves a maximum lift-drag ratio improvement of approximately 61.6% (l = 0.2c). Regarding the application effects of both flow control methods on the VAWT, the flaps can significantly reduce the vortex size near the blades and promote vortex shedding near the blades. At λ = 1.2-2.0, the flaps can improve the power coefficient factor of the VAWT by up to 42.5% (λ = 1.6).The splitter plate can increase the power coefficient of the VAWT by a maximum of about 29.4% (λ = 0.8) at low TSRs (λ = 0.4 to 1.2). At high TSRs (λ = 2.0 to 2.4), the splitter plate can increase the power coefficient by a maximum of about 25.8% (λ = 2.8).

VL  - 15
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Jianyu Wang

School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
Jian Chen

School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

Contact Email
Yu Zhang

China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation Limited, Beijing, China
Xinrong Su

Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
Chun Li

School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
Ying Wang

School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

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APA Style

Wang, J., Chen, J., Zhang, Y., Su, X., Li, C., et al. (2026). Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Control: Adaptive Flaps and Trailing-edge Splitter. International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 15(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11

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ACS Style

Wang, J.; Chen, J.; Zhang, Y.; Su, X.; Li, C., et al. Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Control: Adaptive Flaps and Trailing-edge Splitter. Int. J. Energy Power Eng. 2026, 15(1), 1-26. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11

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AMA Style

Wang J, Chen J, Zhang Y, Su X, Li C, et al. Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Control: Adaptive Flaps and Trailing-edge Splitter. Int J Energy Power Eng. 2026;15(1):1-26. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11,
  author = {Jianyu Wang and Jian Chen and Yu Zhang and Xinrong Su and Chun Li and Ying Wang},
  title = {Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Control: Adaptive Flaps and Trailing-edge Splitter
},
  journal = {International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering},
  volume = {15},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-26},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepe.20261501.11},
  abstract = {Dynamic stall occurring the operation of vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) have attracted great attention in the field of wind power due to their detrimental effects on aerodynamic performance. Extensive flow control strategies have been conducted to alleviate the adverse effects of dynamic stall on aerodynamic performance. This study proposed the active control of adaptive flaps and innovatively introduced a trailing-edge splitter plate as a control method to improve the aerodynamic performance of VAWT. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is conducted to investigate the influence of two flow control methods on the aerodynamic performance of a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) 0015 airfoil and a VAWT. The findings indicate that the adaptive flap should be positioned at the trailing edge. An optimal deployment angle exists across various angles of attack (AOA), with the flap length of 0.15c determined as most effective for flow separation control at moderate Reynolds numbers. In pre-stall, the splitter plate achieves a maximum lift-drag ratio improvement of approximately 61.6% (l = 0.2c). Regarding the application effects of both flow control methods on the VAWT, the flaps can significantly reduce the vortex size near the blades and promote vortex shedding near the blades. At λ = 1.2-2.0, the flaps can improve the power coefficient factor of the VAWT by up to 42.5% (λ = 1.6).The splitter plate can increase the power coefficient of the VAWT by a maximum of about 29.4% (λ = 0.8) at low TSRs (λ = 0.4 to 1.2). At high TSRs (λ = 2.0 to 2.4), the splitter plate can increase the power coefficient by a maximum of about 25.8% (λ = 2.8).
},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Control: Adaptive Flaps and Trailing-edge Splitter

AU  - Jianyu Wang
AU  - Jian Chen
AU  - Yu Zhang
AU  - Xinrong Su
AU  - Chun Li
AU  - Ying Wang
Y1  - 2026/01/20
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11
T2  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
JF  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
JO  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
SP  - 1
EP  - 26
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2326-960X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20261501.11
AB  - Dynamic stall occurring the operation of vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) have attracted great attention in the field of wind power due to their detrimental effects on aerodynamic performance. Extensive flow control strategies have been conducted to alleviate the adverse effects of dynamic stall on aerodynamic performance. This study proposed the active control of adaptive flaps and innovatively introduced a trailing-edge splitter plate as a control method to improve the aerodynamic performance of VAWT. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is conducted to investigate the influence of two flow control methods on the aerodynamic performance of a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) 0015 airfoil and a VAWT. The findings indicate that the adaptive flap should be positioned at the trailing edge. An optimal deployment angle exists across various angles of attack (AOA), with the flap length of 0.15c determined as most effective for flow separation control at moderate Reynolds numbers. In pre-stall, the splitter plate achieves a maximum lift-drag ratio improvement of approximately 61.6% (l = 0.2c). Regarding the application effects of both flow control methods on the VAWT, the flaps can significantly reduce the vortex size near the blades and promote vortex shedding near the blades. At λ = 1.2-2.0, the flaps can improve the power coefficient factor of the VAWT by up to 42.5% (λ = 1.6).The splitter plate can increase the power coefficient of the VAWT by a maximum of about 29.4% (λ = 0.8) at low TSRs (λ = 0.4 to 1.2). At high TSRs (λ = 2.0 to 2.4), the splitter plate can increase the power coefficient by a maximum of about 25.8% (λ = 2.8).

VL  - 15
IS  - 1
ER  -

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