Tim Daly
Sustainable Energy Research Group, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
Luke E. Myers
Sustainable Energy Research Group, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
AbuBakr S. Bahaj
Sustainable Energy Research Group, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3384/ecp110572262Published in: World Renewable Energy Congress - Sweden; 8-13 May; 2011; Linköping; Sweden
Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 57:16, p. 2262-2269
Published: 2011-11-03
ISBN: 978-91-7393-070-3
ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)
The installation of arrays and farms is the next major step in the development of tidal energy converters. Many tidal farms are currently in the process of development. A number of studies have also identified potentially lucrative sites for future farm and array development elsewhere. In some of these sites; the flow velocities can at least in part be attributed to the presence of constraining landmasses and the resultant splitting of channels into two or more sub channels. Given the cubic relationship between flow velocity and kinetic energy flux; even modest acceleration in these areas can cause a considerable increase the potential power available.
The analysis in this paper investigates flow acceleration effects in a split tidal channel due to the presence of tidal turbine arrays. As well as their presence; the effect of changing lateral and longitudinal position of the array and number of turbines in the array was also examined. Results show that flow acceleration of up to 14% can occur in an empty channel due to the presence of tidal arrays. This could potentially have major implications for tidal farm design in areas where channels branch into multiple sub channels.
Split tidal channel; Obstruction; Actuator fences; Flow acceleration; Acoustic Doppler velocimeter
