Improved Blade Design for Tidal Current Turbines

Hongwei Liu, Yajing Gu, Yong-Gang Lin, Yang-Jian Li, Wei Li and Hongbin Zhou
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Hongwei Liu: State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Yajing Gu: State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Yong-Gang Lin: State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Yang-Jian Li: State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Wei Li: State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Hongbin Zhou: State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: The efficiency and reliability of blades are key indicators for a tidal current turbine (TCT). A traditional blade design is often an empirical design on hydrodynamics and structure, sequentially. A hydrofoil with a low lift–drag ratio is considered when the structural strength cannot satisfy requirements. However, efficiency is then sacrificed. A redundant design is generally adopted to protect from load uncertainty, but this increases blade weight and cost. In this paper, we present an improved blade design method to enhance the blade reliability of TCTs with relatively high efficiency for energy generation. An equivalent S–N curve model describing the relationship between axial load and cycle times and a simplified load spectrum including load caused by shear flow and turbulence are proposed for the first time for convenient lifetime estimation. A multi-objective genetic algorithm is used to optimize the chord length, twist angle, and thickness of the blade for the best match between lifetime and efficiency. This blade design method was conducted on a 4.4 m length blade of a 120 kW TCT. Comparisons between the original design and optimal designs indicate that the comprehensive performance in terms of the hydrodynamics, structure, and lifetime of the blade presented significant improvements with a small, acceptable efficiency loss. The results also provide more alternative blade solutions for developers as a reference.

Keywords: tidal current turbine; fatigue life; power efficiency; equivalent S–N curve model; multi-objective optimization (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: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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