Development of a Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation Model for a Horizontal Axis Tidal Stream Turbine

Tidal stream turbines have generated significant research interests due to their major advantages over some other forms of renewable generation. As this technology is relatively new, deployment of tidal turbines is hindered by various problems. Tidal turbines see a non-uniform incoming flow in most situations. This causes differences in power generation and loading at different positions in the rotation of a turbine blade, which affects turbine performance and downstream fluid dynamics. This paper shows the development of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model which is currently being used to study such effects. Discussions on the effect of node counts and clustering on mesh independence, along with a study identifying the appropriate turbulence models for the corresponding flow condition will be covered. Findings were validated with experimental data, and used to construct a complete CFD model which is currently being used to study the effect of a non-uniform velocity profile over turbine performance, loading on turbine blades, and wake.