Optimization of a tidal turbine considering blockage effects

• Grant number: 17/21220-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): July 05, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Transport Phenomena
• Principal researcher: Bruno Souza Carmo
• Grantee: Daniela Tiemi Taira
• Home Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/23651-0 - Experimental and numerical analysis of tidal turbines, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The need for an alternative to the use of non-renewable energies is increasing over the last few years. The intense use of fossil fuel burning, such as mineral coal and oil, brings with it health problems with the increasing of air pollution and environmental degradation related to climate change. In this context, the search for renewable energy sources has been intensifying, with consequent rise of the participation from these sources in the energy matrix. Solar and wind energy are the most known in these panel, however, the study about ocean energy has also been increasing. In this branch, energy can be generated by waves, tides, thermal gradients and ocean currents. The present project aims to study tidal energy, having as specific objective the optimization of a tidal turbine located in a canal, where there are blockage effects. For the realization of this study, it will be developed a numerical method based on CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). In a first moment, computational simulation will be realized reproducing the flow around the turbine with forced rotation. With the data collected, a comparative analysis and validation with the literature will be performed in order to implement the model with free rotation. Subsequently, a comparison will be done between the turbine performance in situation with blockage and without, and in the end, develop turbine geometries for these two conditions in order to optimize your efficiency. (AU)