The effects of turbulence intensity on the downstream performance of horizontal axis tidal stream turbines

Abstract

This study focuses on a comparison of model results from a blade element momen-

tum computational fluid dynamics (BEM-CFD) steady state RANS model, and a BEMT model that accounts for the wake generated from upstream turbines using analytic expressions. Rotor forces are calculated using 3D hydrofoil profile data. Both techniques are validated against ex- isting experimental data, and then used to assess the power extraction of downstream turbines. Turbulent inflow conditions of 3% and 7% are applied, and the results of power extraction as- sessed. Particular attention is paid to the velocity field, with respect to the downstream wake, to assess how the turbulence characteristics effect the recovery rate and downstream power potential. Both models highlight the different recovery rates of the two turbulent conditions.