Status and Challenges of Marine Current Turbines: A Global Review

Abstract

Over the past few decades, marine current energy utilization has transitioned from conceptual demonstrations to industrial-scale prototypes. This progression now approaches a crucial phase emphasizing the need for industrialization and commercialization. This paper provides an in-depth examination of the developmental status of large-scale marine current turbines and arrays, underscoring the promising prospects for marine current energy systems. Despite the significant advancements, the deployment of these systems has revealed several challenges, including blade design optimization, transmission system selection, and the establishment of appropriate test sites. Addressing these issues is essential for technological maturity and economic feasibility, which will foster the next wave of innovation in marine energy systems. Furthermore, the paper offers various perspectives for future applications.

Keywords

• marine current turbine
• large-scale turbine
• array configuration
• pre-commercialization
• challenges and perspective