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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number EP/M02038X/1
Title Flow control to mitigate fatigue load through the use of flexible tidal turbine blades
Status Completed
Energy Categories Renewable Energy Sources(Ocean Energy) 100%;
Research Types Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 50%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 50%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Dr I Viola
No email address given
Marine Science and Technology
Newcastle University
Award Type Standard
Funding Source EPSRC
Start Date 01 October 2014
End Date 30 June 2015
Duration 9 months
Total Grant Value £96,049
Industrial Sectors Energy
Region North East
Programme Newton Programme
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Dr I Viola , Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University (100.000%)
  Industrial Collaborator Project Contact , Dalian University of Technology, China (0.000%)
Project Contact , Ocean University of China (0.000%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract The project is a feasibility study on the use of flexible blades to increase the durability and survivability of tidal turbines. The highly turbulent flow experienced by tidal turbines leads to continuous load variations limiting the fatigue endurance. It is proposed to use flexible blades in order to control the flow field around the blades and allow constant stresses on the turbine's blades and shaft. Under the effect of a variation of the onset flow velocity at a certain location along the blade span, the flexible blade will change the local angle of attack and the foil shape. The new flow field around the blade section will be as such to minimise the load change on the blade section. The reduced, if not completely avoided, load variations will enhance the fatigue endurance of the blade and the shaft
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 24/11/14