Session: 09-07-01 Tidal & Current Energy II

Submission Number: 181367

Hydrokinetic Turbine Array Optimization in a Spatio-Temporal Flow Regime 

Marine hydrokinetic (MHK) energy represents a substantial yet underutilized renewable resource,
offering distinct advantages over solar and wind power, including greater availability, predictability, and
power density. Despite this potential, the commercial deployment of hydrokinetic turbines (HKTs)
remains limited, primarily due to high Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) driven by installation,
manufacturing, and maintenance expenses. Recent advancements in control co-design and system-level
optimization have substantially reduced LCOE, improving the competitiveness of MHK technologies
relative to other renewable energy sources.
This paper investigates modular ducted micro-turbine arrays as a promising solution for tidal and riverine
applications. These systems offer improved hydrodynamic efficiency, scalability, and ease of installation.
While previous research has extensively examined turbine design, hydrodynamics, and control strategies,
the coupled problem of array sizing and site selection has received limited attention. To address this gap,
we introduce an integrated optimization framework that simultaneously determines deployment locations
and array configurations for a given HKT design, accounting for spatio-temporal variations in flow
conditions at candidate sites. Competing objectives — such as minimizing the number of turbines required
to meet a target power output versus maximizing power generation for a fixed array size — are evaluated
under both steady-state and dynamic flow environments. The resulting trade-offs are analyzed and
quantified to guide optimal deployment strategies.
A case study utilizing a hydrodynamic flow model of the Mississippi River demonstrates the proposed
framework’s applicability to riverine MHK systems. A Pareto analysis is conducted to explore trade-offs
among performance objectives, followed by a techno-economic optimization comparing results with those
obtained from purely technical objectives. The comparison identifies conditions under which
incorporating economic considerations yields meaningful benefits. The findings provide practical insights
to inform the efficient and cost-effective deployment of modular ducted HKT arrays in real-world
environments. 

Presenting Author: Jing Sun University of Michigan

Presenting Author Biography: Jing Sun is the Michael G. Parsons Collegiate Professor of Engineering at the University of Michigan. She possesses significant expertise in studying and designing marine renewable technology, recently wrapping up a project which studied a novel ducted turbine design. Jing is a renowned expert in adaptive control, real-time optimization and control co-design with applications in renewables, battery power, and marine technology. She also has over 40 patents to her name as an inventor.

Authors:

Kartik Praful Naik University of Michigan
Jing Sun University of Michigan