Konferensartikel

Little has been done to investigate the behaviour of Marine Current Energy Converters (MCECs) in unsteady flow caused by wave motion and yaw. The additional loading applied to the rotor through the action of waves and whilst operating at yaw could dictate the structural design of blades as well as the proximity to the water surface. The strongly bi-directional nature of the flow encountered at many tidal energy sites may lead to devices employing zero rotor yaw control. Subsequent reductions in device capital cost may outweigh reduced power production and increased dynamic loading for a rotor operating at yaw. The experiments presented in this paper were conducted using a 1/20th scale 3-bladed horizontal axis MCEC at a large towing tank facility. The turbine had the capability to measure thrust and torque via a custom waterproof dynamometer. A BEM (Blade Element Momentum) code developed within the university was modified to include wave and yaw; with a view to further understanding the primary loading upon the rotor and individual blades.

Marine current energy converter; wave-current interaction; strain gauge; loading