Development of an alternating lift converter utilizing flow-induced oscillations to harness horizontal hydrokinetic energy

Eun Soo Kim, Hai Sun, Hongrae Park, Sung-chul Shin, Eun Jung Chae, Ryan Ouderkirk and Michael M. Bernitsas

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2021, vol. 145, issue C

Abstract: The Vortex-Induced Vibration for Aquatic Clean Energy converter is an alternating lift technology converter (ALT) utilizing flow-induced oscillations (FIOs) to harness power from currents/tides/rivers. This paper reviews the underlying concepts and all research breakthroughs made in the ALT over the last ten years by the Marine Renewable Energy Laboratory. Various scale-prototypes and virtual damper-spring systems have been developed to investigate FIOs systematically and, thus, find ways to enhance them for harnessing hydrokinetic energy more efficiently. Applying passive-turbulence control and utilizing the synergy of multiple cylinders, the ALT is able to work over a broad range of flow speeds and extract more hydrokinetic energy. The efficiency of laboratory-prototypes and large-scale prototypes tested in a river reached 52% and 20%, respectively. Furthermore, several field-tests show that the ALT is environmentally friendly and financially competitive based on the estimation of the levelized cost of energy.

Keywords: Renewable energy; Hydrokinetic energy; Tidal/river/current energy; Alternating lift technology; Flow-induced oscillation; Vortex induced vibrations; Galloping; Adaptive damping; Levelized cost of energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111094

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