In-Situ Blade Strain Measurements and Fatigue Analysis of a Cross-Flow Turbine Operating in a Tidal Flow: Article No. 121977

Mason Bichanich, Aidan Bharath, Patrick O'Byrne, Michael Monahan, Hannah Ross, Robert Raye, Casey Nichols, Charles Candon, Martin Wosnik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Cross-flow turbines (CFTs) are inherently unsteady devices with regards to operating principle and loading. By improving our understanding of the dynamic loading on these turbines, we hope to better inform CFT design, improve survivability, and reduce overall costs. The University of New Hampshire (UNH) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) collaborated on a project to instrument and test a four-bladed New Energy Corp. vertical axis cross-flow turbine in a real tidal flow. One blade from the 3.2 m diameter x 1.7 m height turbine was instrumented with eight full-bridge strain gauges along the span of the blade. The turbine was then deployed at the UNH-Atlantic Marine Energy Center (AMEC) Tidal Energy Test Site in Portsmouth, NH. Time-synchronized measurements of blade strain, inflow, thrust, rotational speed, and electrical output were obtained to characterize blade loading under various conditions. The blade strain was examined to assess the dynamic loading and conduct a fatigue analysis on the device.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages17
JournalRenewable Energy
Volume239
DOIs
StatePublished - 2025

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-5700-89027

Keywords

  • blade strain
  • cross-flow turbine
  • dynamic loading
  • marine turbine
  • open water testing
  • tidal energy

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