A review on the design and optimization of lift-based hydrokinetic turbines: Darrieus, Gorlov, and helical types

Hydrokinetic turbines represent a promising alternative to wind energy by offering higher power density, more consistent flow conditions, and minimal visual or acoustic impact. Among various concepts, lift-based vertical-axis hydrokinetic turbines (VAHTs), including Darrieus, Gorlov, helical, and hybrid configurations, have gained increasing attention for their efficiency and adaptability. This review critically analyzes key geometric parameters (blade count, solidity (σ), aspect ratio (AR), angle of attack, hydrofoil profiles, and helical arrangements), flow-manipulation strategies (ducts, guide vanes, vortex generators, and synthetic jets), advanced optimization methods (blade pitching, multi-turbine arrays, and hybrid couplings), and structural, material, and environmental considerations. Findings show that while Darrieus VAHTs achieve higher efficiency at elevated tip-speed ratios (TSRs), they exhibit poor self-starting performance. Conversely, hybrid and multi-turbine designs improve startup, stability, and overall energy capture. Geometric optimization, flow-control techniques, and material selection strongly affect efficiency, cavitation resistance, and fatigue life. Environmental factors, including turbulence, sediment transport, wave-current interactions, and submergence depth, further influence performance, emphasizing the need for site-specific design. By consolidating fragmented research, this review identifies critical knowledge gaps and provides actionable guidelines for the design, optimization, and deployment of lift-based VAHT systems, supporting future advances in sustainable hydrokinetic energy.