scholarly journals Characteristics of the turbulence in the flow at a tidal stream power site

2013 ◽  
Vol 371 (1985) ◽  
pp. 20120196 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Milne ◽  
R. N. Sharma ◽  
R. G. J. Flay ◽  
S. Bickerton
Keyword(s):  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Spring Tide ◽  
Maximum Flow ◽  
Large Degree ◽  
Tidal Energy ◽  
Inertial Subrange ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Local Isotropy ◽  
Spectral Models ◽  
Tidal Stream

This paper analyses a set of velocity time histories which were obtained at a fixed point in the bottom boundary layer of a tidal stream, 5 m from the seabed, and where the mean flow reached 2.5 m s −1 . Considering two complete tidal cycles near spring tide, the streamwise turbulence intensity during non-slack flow was found to be approximately 12–13%, varying slightly between flood and ebb tides. The ratio of the streamwise turbulence intensity to that of the transverse and vertical intensities is typically 1 : 0.75 : 0.56, respectively. Velocity autospectra computed near maximum flood tidal flow conditions exhibit an f −2/3 inertial subrange and conform reasonably well to atmospheric turbulence spectral models. Local isotropy is observed between the streamwise and transverse spectra at reduced frequencies of f >0.5. The streamwise integral time scales and length scales of turbulence at maximum flow are approximately 6 s and 11–14 m, respectively, and exhibit a relatively large degree of scatter. They are also typically much greater in magnitude than the transverse and vertical components. The findings are intended to increase the levels of confidence within the tidal energy industry of the characteristics of the higher frequency components of the onset flow, and subsequently lead to more realistic performance and loading predictions.

scholarly journals Characterization of the vertical evolution of the three-dimensional turbulence for fatigue design of tidal turbines

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2178) ◽  
pp. 20190495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxime Thiébaut ◽  
Jean-François Filipot ◽  
Christophe Maisondieu ◽  
Guillaume Damblans ◽  
Christian Jochum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Vertical Direction ◽  
Tidal Energy ◽  
Tidal Turbines ◽  
Tidal Stream ◽  
Vertical Evolution ◽  
Tidal Stream Energy ◽  
Scale Turbulence

A system of two coupled four-beam acoustic Doppler current profilers was used to collect turbulence measurements over a 36-h period at a highly energetic tidal energy site in Alderney Race. This system enables the evaluation of the six components of the Reynolds stress tensor throughout a large proportion of the water column. The present study provides mean vertical profiles of the velocity, the turbulence intensity and the integral lengthscale along the streamwise, spanwise and vertical direction of the tidal current. Based on our results and considering a tidal-stream energy convertor (TEC) aligned with the current main direction, the main elements of turbulence prone to affect the structure (material fatigue) and to alter power generation would likely be: (i) the streamwise turbulence intensity ( I x ), (ii) the shear stress, v ′ w ′ ¯ , (iii) the normal stress, u ′ 2 ¯ and (iv) the vertical integral lengthscale ( L z ). The streamwise turbulence intensity, ( I x ), was found to be higher than that estimated at other tidal energy sites across the world for similar height above bottom. Along the vertical direction, the length ( L z ) of the large-scale turbulence eddies was found to be equivalent to the rotor diameter of the TEC Sabella D10. It is considered that the turbulence metrics presented in this paper will be valuable for TECs designers, helping them optimize their designs as well as improve loading prediction through the lifetime of the machines. This article is part of the theme issue ‘New insights on tidal dynamics and tidal energy harvesting in the Alderney Race’.

scholarly journals One year of measurements in Alderney Race: preliminary results from database analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2178) ◽  
pp. 20190625 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Furgerot ◽  
A. Sentchev ◽  
P. Bailly du Bois ◽  
G. Lopez ◽  
M. Morillon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Height ◽  
Tidal Energy ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Strong Wind ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Database Analysis ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Tidal Stream ◽  
One Year

The Alderney Race is assumed to have the largest tidal-stream energy potential in the north-western European coastal seas. Interaction of the powerful tidal stream with strong wind, high waves and irregular bathymetry creates hydrodynamic conditions of extreme complexity, with high levels of turbulence. A comprehensive dataset has been created to improve the understanding of physical processes, turbulence, tidal stream and resource variability at the site. The database contains a large amount of oceanographic and meteorological measurements acquired in Alderney Race in 2017–2018. This exceptionally long period of observations (nearly one year) became possible due to modern tools and strategies of data acquisition. The paper presents some significant results from the database analysis. Among many results, we would like to underline the following: (i) a wide range of variability of mean flow and sea state parameters was documented; (ii) exceptionally large values of current velocity (7 m s −1 ) and significant wave height (8 m) were measured during extreme meteorological conditions; (iii) high-frequency variability of current speed during storm events was also found to be very large, with the standard deviation of velocity reaching 0.3 m s −1 in the bottom boundary layer, and 0.6 m s −1 in the surface layer; and (iv) predominant wind and wave direction relative to the flow impacts the wave height and significantly increases the turbulence kinetic energy of the flow. To our knowledge, this is the largest multi-variable database available on potential tidal energy sites. The results of database analysis can represent a significant advance in environmental conditions and resource characterization and provide advanced information to turbine developers. This article is part of the theme issue ‘New insights on tidal dynamics and tidal energy harvesting in the Alderney Race’.

scholarly journals Quantifying the Effects of Wave—Current Interactions on Tidal Energy Resource at Sites in the English Channel Using Coupled Numerical Simulations

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3625
Author(s):  
Jon Hardwick ◽  
Ed B. L. Mackay ◽  
Ian G. C. Ashton ◽  
Helen C. M. Smith ◽  
Philipp R. Thies
Keyword(s):  
Wave Model ◽  
Tidal Energy ◽  
English Channel ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Radiation Stress ◽  
Large Wave ◽  
Stress Gradients ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Flow Power

Numerical modeling of currents and waves is used throughout the marine energy industry for resource assessment. This study compared the output of numerical flow simulations run both as a standalone model and as a two-way coupled wave–current simulation. A regional coupled flow-wave model was established covering the English Channel using the Delft D-Flow 2D model coupled with a SWAN spectral wave model. Outputs were analyzed at three tidal energy sites: Alderney Race, Big Roussel (Guernsey), and PTEC (Isle of Wight). The difference in the power in the tidal flow between coupled and standalone model runs was strongly correlated to the relative direction of the waves and currents. The net difference between the coupled and standalone runs was less than 2.5%. However, when wave and current directions were aligned, the mean flow power was increased by up to 7%, whereas, when the directions were opposed, the mean flow power was reduced by as much as 9.6%. The D-Flow Flexible Mesh model incorporates the effects of waves into the flow calculations in three areas: Stokes drift, forcing by radiation stress gradients, and enhancement of the bed shear stress. Each of these mechanisms is discussed. Forcing from radiation stress gradients is shown to be the dominant mechanism affecting the flow conditions at the sites considered, primarily caused by dissipation of wave energy due to white-capping. Wave action is an important consideration at tidal energy sites. Although the net impact on the flow power was found to be small for the present sites, the effect is site specific and may be significant at sites with large wave exposure or strong asymmetry in the flow conditions and should thus be considered for detailed resource and engineering assessments.

scholarly journals LOCAL VELOCITY PROFILES MEASURED BY PIV IN AN VESSEL AGITATED BY RUSHTON TURBINE

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 430-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radek Šulc ◽  
Vít Pešava ◽  
Pavel Ditl
Keyword(s):  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Velocity Profiles ◽  
Radial Component ◽  
Flat Bottom ◽  
Local Isotropy ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Rushton Turbine ◽  
Fully Developed Turbulent Flow ◽  
High Turbulence

<p>The hydrodynamics and flow field were measured in an agitated vessel using 2-D Time Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (2-D TR PIV). The experiments were carried out in a fully baffled cylindrical flat bottom vessel 300 mm in inner diameter. The tank was agitated by a Rushton turbine 100 mm in diameter. The velocity fields were measured for three impeller rotation speeds 300 rpm, 450 rpm and 600 rpm and the corresponding Reynolds numbers in the range 50 000 &lt; Re &lt; 100 000, which means that the fully-developed turbulent flow was reached. In accordance with the theory of mixing, the dimensionless mean and fluctuation velocities in the measured directions were found to be constant and independent of the impeller rotational speed. The velocity profiles were averaged, and were expressed by Chebyshev polynomials of the 1<sup>st</sup> order. Although the experimentally investigated area was relatively far from the impeller, and it was located in upward flow to the impeller, no state of local isotropy was found. The ratio of the axial rms fluctuation velocity to the radial component was found to be in the range from 0.523 to 0.768. The axial turbulence intensity was found to be in the range from 0.293 to 0.667, which corresponds to a high turbulence intensity.</p>

scholarly journals Experimental analysis of the shear flow effect on tidal turbine blade root force from three-dimensional mean flow reconstruction

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2178) ◽  
pp. 20200001 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Gaurier ◽  
Ph. Druault ◽  
M. Ikhennicheu ◽  
G. Germain
Keyword(s):  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Tidal Energy ◽  
Velocity Shear ◽  
Reconstruction Method ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Blade Root ◽  
Image Velocimetry ◽  
Tidal Turbine

In the main tidal energy sites like Alderney Race, turbulence intensity is high and velocity fluctuations may have a significant impact on marine turbines. To understand such phenomena better, a three-bladed turbine model is positioned in the wake of a generic wall-mounted obstacle, representative of in situ bathymetric variation. From two-dimensional Particle Image Velocimetry planes, the time-averaged velocity in the wake of the obstacle is reconstructed in the three-dimensional space. The reconstruction method is based on Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and enables access to a representation of the mean flow field and the associated shear. Then, the effect of the velocity gradient is observed on the turbine blade root force, for four turbine locations in the wake of the obstacle. The blade root force average decreases whereas its standard deviation increases when the distance to the obstacle increases. The angular distribution of this phase-averaged force is shown to be non-homogeneous, with variation of about 20% of its time-average during a turbine rotation cycle. Such force variations due to velocity shear will have significant consequences in terms of blade fatigue. This article is part of the theme issue ‘New insights on tidal dynamics and tidal energy harvesting in the Alderney Race’.

Field measurement of near-surface typhoon characteristics using a smart monitoring system on a long-span arch bridge site

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1977-1987
Author(s):  
Xu Wang ◽  
Huaqiang Li ◽  
Zengshun Chen ◽  
Yuanhao Qian ◽  
Yanru Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring System ◽  
Wind Velocity ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Lateral Direction ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Gust Factor ◽  
The Mean

During landfall of Typhoon Haikui in Eastern China in 2012, ground level wind data were recorded using a smart monitoring system installed on JiuBao Bridge in Hangzhou, China. This article documents the mean flow and turbulence characteristics from data recorded during the storm. The results show that both turbulence intensity and gust factor decrease with the increase in the mean wind velocity. However, as the mean wind velocity increases, this trend gradually attenuates. The peak factor distribution with gust averaging time duration derived with the Typhoon Haikui data agrees well with the Durst curve. However, the longitudinal gust factor derived from the typhoon wind-speed record in this study is higher compared with the curves proposed by Durst and Krayer-Marshall. Analyses of the gust factor distribution with the turbulence intensity during the passage of the storm reveal a similarity to the empirical curves of Ishizaki and Choi. Results show that the relationship between lateral turbulence and gust factors can be well represented by a quadratic polynomial. Turbulence scale increased with mean wind velocity. The values of autocorrelation coefficients in longitudinal direction are larger than those in lateral direction. There has no obvious dependency of cross-correlation coefficients with mean wind velocity. In general, the wind characteristics in this study are shown to be very similar to those of winds under normal circumstance.

scholarly journals The energy yield potential of a large tidal stream turbine array in the Alderney Race

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2178) ◽  
pp. 20190502 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. Coles ◽  
L. S. Blunden ◽  
A. S. Bahaj
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Tidal Energy ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Energy Yield ◽  
Ambient Flow ◽  
Flow Speeds ◽  
Tidal Stream ◽  
Original Array ◽  
Array Performance ◽  
Tidal Stream Turbine

This research provides an updated energy yield assessment for a large tidal stream turbine array in the Alderney Race. The original array energy yield estimate was presented in 2004. Enhancements to this original work are made through the use of a validated two-dimensional hydrodynamic model, enabling the resolution of flow modelling to be improved and the impacts of array blockage to be quantified. Results show that a range of turbine designs (i.e. rotor diameter and power capacity) are needed for large-scale development, given the spatial variation in bathymetry and flow across the Alderney Race. Array blockage causes a reduction in flow speeds in the array of up to 2.5 m s −1 , increased flow speeds around the array of up to 1 m s −1 and a reduction in the mean volume flux through the Alderney Race of 8%. The annual energy yield estimate of the array is 3.18 TWh, equivalent to the electricity demand of around 1 million homes. The capacity factor of the array is 18%, implying sub-optimal array design. This result demonstrates the need for turbine rated speed to be selected based on the altered flow regime, not the ambient flow. Further enhancement to array performance is explored through increases to rotor diameter and changes to device micro-siting, demonstrating the significant potential for array performance improvement. This article is part of the theme issue ‘New insights on tidal dynamics and tidal energy harvesting in the Alderney Race’.

The impact of spring-neap tidal-stream cycles in tidal energy assessments in the Chilean Inland Sea

2019 ◽  
Vol 139 ◽  
pp. 496-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osvaldo Artal ◽  
Oscar Pizarro ◽  
Héctor H. Sepúlveda
Keyword(s):  
Tidal Energy ◽  
Tidal Stream ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Identifying economically viable tidal sites within the Alderney Race through optimization of levelized cost of energy

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2178) ◽  
pp. 20190500
Author(s):  
Z. L. Goss ◽  
D. S. Coles ◽  
M. D. Piggott
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Tidal Energy ◽  
Monte Carlo Analysis ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Fixed Costs ◽  
Levelized Cost ◽  
Learning Rates ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
Case Study Site ◽  
Tidal Stream

Costs of tidal stream energy generation are anticipated to fall considerably with array expansion and time. This is due to both economies of volume, where arrays comprising of large numbers of turbines can split fixed costs over a greater number of devices, and learning rates, where the industry matures and so arrays of the same size become cheaper due to lessons learned from previous installations. This paper investigates how tidal energy arrays can be designed to minimize the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), by optimizing not only the location but also the number of devices, to find a suitable balance between decreased costs due to economies of volume and diminishing returns due to global blockage effects. It focuses on the Alderney Race as a case study site due to the high velocities found there, making it a highly suitable site for large-scale arrays. It is demonstrated that between 1 and 2 GW could be feasibly extracted as costs in the tidal industry fall, with the LCOE depending greatly on the assumed costs. A Monte–Carlo analysis is undertaken to account for variability in capital and operational cost data used as inputs to the array optimization. Once optimized, the estimated P50 LCOE of an 80 MW array is £110/MWh. This estimate aligns closely with the level of subsidy considered for tidal stream projects in the Alderney Race in the past. This article is part of the theme issue ‘New insights on tidal dynamics and tidal energy harvesting in the Alderney Race’.

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