The Effects of Realistic Tidal Flows on the Performance and Structural Integrity of Tidal Stream Turbines

This multidisciplinary project investigates the effects of extreme conditions on tidal stream turbines when installed as a single device or in arrays or farms. By combining the results of experiments, computer predictions and real life expertise, the research will enable the industry to produce, design and manufacture better tidal stream turbines that can be optimised to suit the prevailing sea conditions. Once these devices are deployed there will be a need to remotely monitor their condition and manage their operation during their life time. This research will deliver a system that will allow the owners of the devices to remotely monitor their condition and performance to ensure they achieve optimal energy production whilst maximising their life span.

A PhD studentship is available in one of the following areas:

1. Design, development, installation and testing of a condition monitoring system to enable the management of the tidal stream turbine performance. This will involve research to enable the specification and testing of signal acquisition, data processing and information management systems to support the engineering of a prognostic approach to the monitoring of tidal stream turbines.

2. Development and validation of an approach to turbine performance modelling using a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) and coupled Fluid-Structural Interaction (FSI) model to represent a full scale tidal stream turbine. This research project will develop the modelling approach using the analysis of flume-based experimental investigations supporting the extension of existing CFD and coupled FSI modelling approaches. It will then be deployed to engineer a CFD model of an array of nine full-size tidal stream turbines operating under “at-sea” conditions.

3. Detailed time dependent analysis of the flow fields around tidal stream turbines will be undertaken using CFD models. The CFD models will include realistic boundary conditions incorporating profiled site dependent velocity fields and surface interactions (waves). The loadings on the turbines will be used in a two-way coupled FSI analysis to determine the dynamic loading mechanisms. Cavitation effects on the turbines will be included as a result of the turbines position in the water column.