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Title: Large-Eddy Simulation Study of Wake Propagation and Power Production in an Array of Tidal-Current Turbines: Preprint

Conference ·
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This paper presents our initial work in performing large-eddy simulations of tidal turbine array flows. First, a horizontally-periodic precursor simulation is performed to create turbulent flow data. Then that data is used to determine the inflow into a tidal turbine array two rows deep and infinitely wide. The turbines are modeled using rotating actuator lines, and the finite-volume method isused to solve the governing equations. In studying the wakes created by the turbines, we observed that the vertical shear of the inflow combined with wake rotation causes lateral wake asymmetry. Also, various turbine configurations are simulated, and the total power production relative to isolated turbines is examined. Staggering consecutive rows of turbines in the simulated configurationsallows the greatest efficiency using the least downstream row spacing. Counter-rotating consecutive downstream turbines in a non-staggered array shows a small benefit. This work has identified areas for improvement, such as the use of a larger precursor domain to better capture elongated turbulent structures, the inclusion of salinity and temperature equations to account for densitystratification and its effect on turbulence, improved wall shear stress modeling, and the examination of more array configurations.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Wind and Water Technologies Office (EE-4W)
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1018878
Report Number(s):
NREL/CP-5000-51765; TRN: US201114%%385
Resource Relation:
Journal Volume: 371; Journal Issue: 1985; Conference: Presented at the 9th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference 2011, 4-9 September 2011, Southhampton, England
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (14)

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Large-eddy simulation of atmospheric boundary layer flow through wind turbines and wind farms journal April 2011
Determination of the angle of attack on rotor blades journal January 2009
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Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
ACTUATORS
ASYMMETRY
EFFICIENCY
LARGE-EDDY SIMULATION
POWER GENERATION
PRECURSOR
ROTATION
SALINITY
SHEAR
SIMULATION
STRATIFICATION
TURBINES
TURBULENCE
TURBULENT FLOW
tidal
turbines
array
LES
CFD