Modelling dynamic loadings of a tidal stream turbine in combined wave-current-turbulence environment

Qian Li*, Vengatesan Venugopal, Nigel Barltrop

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)
50 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The understanding of hydrodynamic loadings on a Tidal Stream Turbine (TST) is important to its design, deployment and operation. An assessment involving combined wave-current-turbulence effects is essential for the prediction of the loadings and turbine performance. TSTs are often located in regions of localized high current, so the incident waves will be modified as they travel onto that higher current. This paper proposes a methodology which is capable of generating the combined wave-current effects with the integration of a model of the incident turbulence. The algorithm and methodology presented in this paper are implemented in the OpenFAST software. The modified numerical model has been validated by comparing its outputs to the scale model tests conducted in Edinburgh University's FloWave wave-current facility. The impact of combined waves, currents, and turbulence intensity on power production of a TST has been quantitatively investigated. The results show that the wave-current interaction effects are significant, in particular when waves travel in opposite direction to currents; in which case the loads were underestimated by 40.3% in comparison to excluding the wave-current interaction effects. Furthermore, the ambient turbulent flow is observed to affect the loadings and the performance of the TST, and the output suggests a discrepancy around 45.6% between different turbulence intensity levels.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101795
JournalSustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments
Volume50
Early online date2 Dec 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2022

Funding

The authors are grateful for financial support from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council through FloWTurb (EP/N021487/1). The authors are extremely grateful to the contributions received from industrial partners and research staff of FloWTurb project team.

Keywords

  • loadings
  • idal stream turbine
  • turbine performance
  • turbulence intensity
  • turbulent model
  • wave-current interaction

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