Wind and Structures, Vol. 22, No. 1 (2016) 1-16 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12989/was.2016.22.1.001 1 Copyright © 2016 Techno-Press, Ltd. http://www.techno-press.org/?journal=was&subpage=8 ISSN: 1226-6116 (Print), 1598-6225 (Online) A review of the state-of-the-art in aerodynamic performance of horizontal axis wind turbine Muhammad Ramzan Luhur 1 , Abdul Latif Manganhar 1a , K.H. Solangi 2b , Abdul Qayoom Jakhrani 3c , Kishan Chand Mukwana 3d and Saleem Raza Samo 3e 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology, Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan 2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 3 Department of Energy and Environment Engineering, Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology, Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan (Received March 16, 2014, Revised May 20, 2015, Accepted June 27, 2015) Abstract. The paper presents the state-of-the-art in aerodynamic performance of the modern horizontal axis wind turbine. The study examines the different complexities involved with wind turbine blade aerodynamic performance in open atmosphere and turbine wakes, and highlights the issues which require further investigations. Additionally, the latest concept of smart blades and frequently used wind turbine design analysis tools have also been discussed. The investigation made through this literature survey shows significant progress towards wind turbine aerodynamic performance improvements in general. However, still there are several parameters whose behavior and specific role in regulating the performance of the blades is yet to be elucidated clearly; in particular, the wind turbulence, rotational effects, coupled effect of turbulence and rotation, extreme wind events, formation and life time of the wakes. Keywords: horizontal axis wind turbine; aerodynamic performance; complexities; natural wind; turbine wakes; design analysis tools 1. Introduction The wind turbines operate in atmospheric boundary layer exposed to turbulence and shear effects permanently. The atmospheric turbulence is a three-dimensional stochastic effect, which exists in different scales in the wind field and is impractical to predict (Pechlivanoglou 2013). The interaction of such complex and highly dynamic wind with turbine rotor blades leads to highly dynamic forces. Additionally, the aerodynamic loading, blade rotation, gravity, mass imbalance and gyroscopic effects also play an active role in the development of forces on wind turbine blades Corresponding author, Assistant Professor, E-mail: luhur@quest.edu.pk a Assistant Professor, E-mail: alatif_mgr@yahoo.com b Ph.D. Student, E-mail: solangi.quest@gmail.com c Assistant Professor, E-mail: aqunimas@hotmail.com d Assistant Professor, E-mail: kcmukwana@quest.edu.pk e Professor, E-mail: sfaizsamo@yahoo.com