On the benefits of negative hydrodynamic interactions in small tidal energy arrays

Topper, Mathew; Olson, Sterling; Roberts, Jesse

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117091

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 34 publications

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“…Unless there is a rapid increase in installations, the LCOE for tidal-C. Jordon and D. Dundovic have contributed equally to this work. stream is set to remain at more than £150/MWh by 2025 (Smart and Noonan 2018;Topper et al 2021), whilst the LCOE for solar and both onshore and offshore wind will fall to approximately £25-£32/MWh (U.S. Energy Information Administation 2020). Reducing LCOE is paramount if tidalstream energy is to become a competitive, sustainable energy source (Coles et al 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining shallow-water and analytical wake models for tidal array micro-siting

Jordan

Dundovic

Fragkou

et al. 2022

J. Ocean Eng. Mar. Energy

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For tidal-stream energy to become a competitive renewable energy source, clustering multiple turbines into arrays is paramount. Array optimisation is thus critical for achieving maximum power performance and reducing cost of energy. However, ascertaining an optimal array layout is a complex problem, subject to specific site hydrodynamics and multiple inter-disciplinary constraints. In this work, we present a novel optimisation approach that combines an analytical-based wake model, FLORIS, with an ocean model, Thetis. The approach is demonstrated through applications of increasing complexity. By utilising the method of analytical wake superposition, the addition or alteration of turbine position does not require re-calculation of the entire flow field, thus allowing the use of simple heuristic techniques to perform optimisation at a fraction of the computational cost of more sophisticated methods. Using a custom condition-based placement algorithm, this methodology is applied to the Pentland Firth for arrays with turbines of $$3.05\,\hbox {m}/\hbox {s}$$ 3.05 m / s rated speed, demonstrating practical implications whilst considering the temporal variability of the tide. For a 24-turbine array case, micro-siting using this technique delivered an array 15.8% more productive on average than a staggered layout, despite flow speeds regularly exceeding the rated value. Performance was evaluated through assessment of the optimised layout within the ocean model that treats turbines through a discrete turbine representation. Used iteratively, this methodology could deliver improved array configurations in a manner that accounts for local hydrodynamic effects.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%