Computational methods for the design and prediction of performance of tidal turbines

Spyros A. Kinnas*, Wei Xu, Yi Hsiang Yu, Lei He

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

A design method based on a lifting line model is developed to determine the optimum radial circulation distribution on a turbine blade, which will produce the maximum output power for a given tip speed ratio and a given number of blades. The resulting optimum circulation distribution is used in order to determine the preliminary shape of the turbine blade. The blade shape is then refined by using an analysis method, based on a vortex-lattice scheme, in combination with a nonlinear optimization method, which determines the blade geometry that will produce the highest output power. Finally, the effect of nonuniform current inflow on the performance of a turbine is also addressed by coupling the vortex-lattice method with a viscous flow solver.

Original languageEnglish
Article number011101
JournalJournal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering
Volume134
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 12 Oct 2011

Keywords

  • Blade design
  • Effective wake
  • Lifting line theory
  • Nonuniform currents
  • Optimum loading on turbines
  • Tidal/ocean current turbines
  • Vortex-lattice method (VLM)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Computational methods for the design and prediction of performance of tidal turbines'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this