LOAD ACTING ON OCEAN CURRENT TURBINE BLADES IN SHEAR FLOW

Abstract

The results of circular tank and towing tank tests of an 880mm diameter model of an ocean current turbine are presented. The experimental data include measurements of torque and momentum for a range of tip speed ratios and pitch settings for various conditions in shear flow and uniform flow. A simulation model based on blade element momentum theory was developed and verified using these measurements. In addition, the influence of shear flow compared with uniform flow is discussed. The results demonstrate that the numerical model developed can provide a useful tool for the hydrodynamic design and operation of ocean current turbines.