Towing tank and flume testing of passively adaptive composite tidal turbine blades

Murray, Robynne E. and Ordonez Sanchez, Stephanie Eugenia and Porter, Kate and Doman, Darrel A. and Pegg, Michael J. and Johnstone, Cameron (2017) Towing tank and flume testing of passively adaptive composite tidal turbine blades. In: 12th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, 2017-08-27 - 2017-09-01, University College Cork.

[thumbnail of Murray-etal-EWTEC-2017-Towing-tank-and-flume-testing-of-passively-adaptive]
Preview
Text. Filename: Murray_etal_EWTEC_2017_Towing_tank_and_flume_testing_of_passively_adaptive.pdf
Accepted Author Manuscript

Download (1MB)| Preview

Abstract

Composite tidal turbine blades with bend-twist (BT) coupled layups allow the blade to self-adapt to local site conditions by passively twisting. Passive feathering has the potential to increase annual energy production and shed thrust loads and power under extreme tidal flows. Decreased hydrodynamic thrust and power during extreme conditions means that the turbine support structure, generator, and other components can be sized more appropriately, resulting in a higher utilization factor and increased cost effectiveness.