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MaREI PhD 2021

Develop new protocols for introducing complex cyclic loading spectra during fatigue testing of full-scale tidal turbine rotor blades

Funding Body:

MaREI, the SFI Centre for Climate, Energy and Marine

Research Partners:

Kai Xu, William Finnegan, Fergal O’Rourke, Jamie Goggins

Principal Investigators:

Prof Jamie Goggins

Research Area:

Energy, Marine, Structure

Start Date: 1.12.2021
End Date: 31.5.2025

Introduction:

Tidal energy has gained increased attention and investment due to its potential and advantages, in terms of reliability and predictability. Horizontal axis tidal turbines are similar to wind turbines in both geometry and principle of operation, yet they need to withstand much heavier loadings and extreme conditions in a harsh operating environment. Consequently, the loadings on tidal turbine blades need to be accurately evaluated within the design stage to ensure they can withstand loadings with little need for repair.

Aim:

The main aim of my research is to develop new protocols for introducing complex cyclic loading spectra during fatigue testing of full-scale tidal turbine rotor blades. However, in order to achieve this aim, the following objectives need to be completed:
•   To conduct systematic numerical investigations on the structure-fluid interaction between tidal turbines and current,
•   To build a wave tank model and research on the fluctuation of hydrodynamic force including thrust and torque on tidal turbines under wave and current conditions,
•   To experimentally study on turbine performance in the wave tank at University of Galway to gain a greater understanding of the damage mechanisms of tidal turbines blades due to fatigue.

MaREI PhD

Figure 1. Mesh generated at 2,261,374 elements and 584,378 nodes in rotating domain.

MaREI PhD

Figure 2. Preview of CFX setup

MaREI PhD

Figure 3. Variation of thrust force on tidal turbine rotor in only current (velocity 0.8m/s, turbulence 1.5%) and current/ wave conditions (0.155m amplitude, 0.6Hz frequency) within one wave period.

MaREI PhD

Figure 4. Variation of thrust force on one blade of tidal turbine in only current (velocity 0.8m/s, turbulence 1.5%) and current/ wave conditions (0.155m amplitude, 0.6Hz frequency) within one wave period.

Publications:

Xu K, Finnegan W, O’Rourke F, Goggins J, ‘Hydrodynamic modelling of marine tidal turbines: A state of the art review’, Civil Engineering Research in Ireland Conference (CERI 2022), Dublin, Ireland, 25-26 August 2022.
Xu K, Finnegan W, O’Rourke F, Goggins J, ‘CFD analysis of hydrodynamic force on a horizontal axis tidal turbine’, Proceedings of the 15th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, 3–7 September 2023, Bilbao. (Abstract submitted, Full paper in preparation)