Scale-Model Experiments for the Surface Wave Influence on a Submerged Floating Ocean-Current Turbine

Katsutoshi Shirasawa, Junichiro Minami and Tsumoru Shintake
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Katsutoshi Shirasawa: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
Junichiro Minami: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
Tsumoru Shintake: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: In order to harness the kinetic energy of marine currents, we propose a novel ocean-current turbine with a horizontal axis. The turbine can be moored to the seabed and function similarly to kites in a water flow. To operate such turbines in a marine current, the resulting rotor torque needs to be canceled. Therefore, the proposed turbine is designed with a float at its top and a counterweight at its bottom. Thus far, we have verified the turbine stability and blade performance through towing experiments. As the next step, we constructed a scale-model turbine to confirm the mooring system. This experiment was performed at a circulating water channel with wave-making facilities. The influence of waves on the floating body was also investigated. In this paper, we report the behavior of the scale-model turbine moored to the tank bottom and discuss the influence of surface waves.

Keywords: ocean current; ocean-current turbine; ocean energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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