Study of Hydrodynamic Interference of Vertical-Axis Tidal Turbine Array

Abstract

The hydrodynamic interference between tidal turbines must be considered when predicting their overall hydrodynamic performance and optimizing the layout of the turbine array. These factors are of great significance to the development and application of tidal energy. In this paper, the phenomenon of hydrodynamic interference of the tidal turbine array is studied by the hydrodynamic performance forecast program based on an unsteady boundary element model for the vertical-axis turbine array. By changing the relative positions of two turbines in the double turbine array to simulate the arrangement of different turbines, the hydrodynamic interference law between the turbines in the array and the influence of relative positions on the hydrodynamic characteristics in the turbine array are explored. The manner in which the turbines impact each other, the degree of influence, and rules for turbine array arrangement for maximum efficiency of the array will be discussed. The results of this study will provide technical insights to relevant researchers.

Keywords

• tidal current energy
• vertical axis turbine
• hydrodynamic interference
• array arrangement