Performance analysis of 200kW tidal current power turbine with pre-deformed blades

• Published in: 2015 IEEE 15th International Conference on Environment and Electrical Engineering (EEEIC) pp. 472 - 477
• Main Authors: Chul-hee Jo, Kang-hee Lee, Su-jin Hwang, Do-youb Kim
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.06.2015
• Subjects: Blades; Computational fluid dynamics; computational fluid dynamics (CFD); Finite element analysis; finite element method (FEM); fluid-structure interaction (FSI); horizontal axis turbine (HAT); Load modeling; pre-deformed blade; Shape; tidal current power (TCP); Torque; Turbines
• DOI: 10.1109/EEEIC.2015.7165208

The importance and understanding of renewable energy has increased even more after the nuclear power plant accident in Japan four years ago. Among the various renewable energy sources, tidal current power is recognized as the most promising energy source in terms of predictability and reliability. In general, a tidal current power turbine has two or three blades that are subjected to hydrodynamic loads during operation. The blades are continuously deformed by various incoming flow velocities. Depending on the flow velocity, blade size, and material properties, the deformation rates can be different, which could affect the performance of the turbine and its power rate. Since deformed blades can decrease the performance of the turbine, the power generation could be affected accordingly. We examined design criteria of a tidal current turbine, and the results of a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis conducted using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the finite element method (FEM). Since pre-deformed blades can be used to optimize the blade geometry for operating conditions, this concept could contribute to the performance enhancement and commercialization of tidal turbines.