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

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

Abstract

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.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages12
StatePublished - 2011
Event9th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference 2011 - Southhampton, England
Duration: 4 Sep 20119 Sep 2011

Conference

Conference9th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference 2011
CitySouthhampton, England
Period4/09/119/09/11

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-5000-51765

Keywords

  • array
  • CFD
  • LES
  • tidal
  • turbines

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