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The influence of surface gravity waves on marine current turbine performance

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-23, 07:52 authored by Lust, EE, Luznik, L, Flack, KA, Walker, JM, Van Benthem, MC
Surface gravity waves can significantly impact operating conditions for a marine current turbine, imparting unsteady velocities several orders of magnitude larger than the ambient turbulence. The influence of surface waves on the performance characteristics of a two-bladed horizontal axis marine current turbine was investigated experimentally in a large towing tank facility at the United States Naval Academy. The turbine model had a 0.8 m diameter (D) rotor with a NACA 63-618 cross section, which is Reynolds number independent with respect to lift coefficient in the operating range of Rec 4 x 105. The torque, thrust and rotational speed were measured at a range of tip speed ratios (TSR) from 5 < TSR < 11. Tests were performed at two rotor depths (1.3D and 2.25D) with and without waves. The average turbine performance characteristics were largely unchanged by depth or the presence of waves. However, tests with waves indicate large variations in thrust, rotational speed, and torque occurred with the passage of the wave. These results demonstrate the impact of surface gravity waves on power production and structural loading and suggest that turbines should be positioned vertically within the water column at a depth which maximizes power output while minimizing material fatigue.

History

Publication title

Proceedings of the 10th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference

Pagination

1-10

ISSN

2309-1983

Department/School

Australian Maritime College

Publisher

Technical Committee of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference

Place of publication

Aalborg, Denmark

Event title

10th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference

Event Venue

Aalborg, Denmark

Date of Event (Start Date)

2013-09-02

Date of Event (End Date)

2013-09-05

Rights statement

Copyright 2013 European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Tidal energy

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