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The influence of surface gravity waves on marine current turbine performance
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 21:02 authored by Lust, EE, Luznik, L, Flack, KA, Walker, JM, Van Benthem, MCSurface 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 × 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
International Journal of Marine EnergyVolume
3-4Issue
Selected Papers - EWTEC2013Pagination
27-40ISSN
2214-1669Department/School
Australian Maritime CollegePublisher
ElsevierPlace of publication
NetherlandsRights statement
Copyright 2013 ElsevierRepository Status
- Restricted