Session: 09-07-02 Tidal & Current Energy I

Submission Number: 181004

Influence of Free-Surface Clearance on the Hydrodynamic Performance of a Tidal Turbine 

Tidal turbines harness ocean currents to generate. However, in real marine environments, waves cause significant fluctuations that affect turbine performance and stability. The periodic motion of waves induces variations in hydrodynamic forces, leading to cyclic fluctuations in thrust, torque, and power output. These fluctuations present substantial challenges for turbine design and operational efficiency.

This study aims to quantitatively evaluate the impact of wave effects on tidal turbine performance using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). To realistically simulate ocean conditions, unsteady simulations incorporating free-surface dynamics were conducted using the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) method. This approach allows for accurate prediction of the complex interactions between waves and turbine operation.

The degree of turbine exposure above the free surface was systematically varied under wave conditions to assess its influence on turbine behavior. Both average power output and instantaneous torque fluctuations were carefully evaluated for each configuration. The results provide insights into how wave-induced submergence variations affect energy generation and structural loading on tidal turbines.

The findings of this research contribute to a better understanding of wave-turbine interactions and can inform the design and optimization of tidal energy conversion systems for practical marine deployment. These results are valuable for improving the reliability and efficiency of tidal turbine systems in dynamic ocean environments.

Presenting Author: Kim Kangmin Inha University

Presenting Author Biography: Mr. Kangmin Kim is an undergraduate researcher at the Resistance Hydrodynamic Laboratory in the Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at Inha University, South Korea. His research focuses on hydrodynamic performance analysis of ship resistance, tidal, and floating marine energy systems using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). He has participated in various design and academic projects related to ship hydrodynamics and has conducted research on simulation-based design, performance evaluation, and control integration for marine energy applications.

Authors:

Kim Kangmin Inha University
Soonseok Song Inha University
Gyeongseo Min Inha University
Haechan Yun Inha University
Young Uk Do Inha University
Keounghyun Jung Inha University