What does a wind turbine winglet do? Winglets reduce induced drag at the turbine blade tips, which is the point where high pressure and low pressure air mixes together. This mixing action causes vortexes to form in the moving air, which causes drag and reduced aerodynamic efficiency.

What are the wings on a wind turbine called?

Rotor Blades - The rotor blades of a wind turbine operate under the same principle as aircraft wings. One side of the blade is curved while the other is flat.

Why are wind turbine blades shaped like wings?

Generally, wind turbine blades are shaped to generate the maximum power from the wind at the minimum construction cost. ... Its believed that by slightly curving the turbine blade, they're able to capture 5 to 10 percent more wind energy and operate more efficiently in areas that have typically lower wind speeds.