Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine with at least one blade includes providing at least one blade with an active flow control actuator configured to increase an angle of attack range in which the blade or blades can generate torque without flow separation, and using the flow control actuator to adjust this angle of attack range in accordance with load.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade is situated on a wind turbine and includes a side and a tip. The blade is configured to rotate about an axis upon an impact of a wind flow on the blade. An active flow modification device is disposed on the blade. The active flow modification device is configured to receive active flow instructions and to modify the wind flow proximate to the blade. The resulting wind turbine blade uses these active flow modifications to achieve reduced loads, reduced aerodynamic losses, reduced noise, enhanced energy capture, or combinations thereof.