Performance analysis of multi-row vertical axis hydrokinetic turbine–straight blade cascaded (VAHT-SBC) turbines array

Abstract

Due to its high energy concentration, hydrokinetic energy from tidal and rivers flow provides great expectation. One of the effective ways to meet the energy production target is to reduce the installation and maintenance effort arranging turbines in such configuration, known as hydrokinetic turbine array. The performance of array configuration is affected by turbine position and rotational direction. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the effect of turbine rotational direction and position on the array performance. The experimental study and URANS simulation were carried out to gain deeper information. This previous study proposed 3 side-by-side configurations, i.e. Co-rotating” (Co), “counter-rotating-in” (CtI) and “counter-rotating-out” (CtO) and the current study proposed 2 multi-row configurations, i.e. 3T-A and 3T-B. The comprehensive information is provided. Both experimental and numerical study confirmed that the velocity superposition in the interaction zone gives the constructive effect on turbine performance. All site-by-site configurations is able to enhance farm effectiveness. Co configuration is recommended to install in the resource having unpredictable flow direction. However, the CtI is for canal or river since it has better performance. The study for multi-row configuration shows that the downstream turbine has performance decrement due to the bad effect of the upstream turbine wake.

Site Test Performance and Numerical Study of Vertical Axis Hydrokinetic Turbine Straight Blade Cascaded (VAHT–SBC)

“…The error represents the difference in torque between the CFD simulation and the experimental data. The result of the turbulence model testing was aligned with previous CFD studies [19,[28][29][30][31], which state that the most representative turbulence model for fluid-solid interaction simulation is SST. This model optimizes the strength of the k-ω and k-ε turbulence model and eliminates its weakness.…”

Turbinas hidrocinéticas tipo propela: una alternativa para la generación de energía eléctrica

“…Las VAHT son turbinas adecuadas para aplicaciones con corrientes de fluido de bajas velocidades. Adicionalmente, este tipo de turbinas posee un funcionamiento omnidireccional (i. e., independiente de la dirección de flujo), de fácil mantenimiento y simplicidad en el diseño [18], [19]. En la mayoría de estas turbinas, el fluido pasa por el rodete dos veces atravesándolo diametralmente, por lo que en la literatura suelen referirse a ellas comúnmente como turbinas hidrocinéticas de flujo cruzado [20].…”

“…Su principal desventaja es la baja eficiencia de conversión de energía, debido, en gran parte, a la naturaleza fluctuante del torque de salida. Además, este tipo de turbinas posee dificultades en el arranque y el control de la velocidad [18], [19], [21].…”

Interactions Between Tidal Turbine Wakes: Numerical Study for Shallow Water Application

“…Therefore, the government has begun to explore, promote, and utilise renewable energy [4] as a conventional source of energy to decrease reliance on petroleum. These methods provide cost-effective sustainable energy with minimal environmental impacts [5].…”

“…Similar to wind turbines, tidal turbine array designs can significantly influence performance. Wake shadowing and merging across rows in an array may produce poor feedback on the farm efficiency [5]. This is caused by momentum recovery after the first row of turbines, which reduces downstream device power production and damages the entire farm [6].…”