Abstract
The Energy Systems Research Unit within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde has developed a novel contra-rotating tidal turbine. A 0.82 m diameter scale model has been built and tested in the University’s tow tank, the results of which were used to inform the design and construction of a larger 2.5 m diameter prototype device. This prototype device has undertaken initial sea trials and the results are encouraging.
This paper reports the advantages of a contra-rotating marine turbine, the engineering design rationale, the testing programme undertaken in both the test tank and at sea, and how data from the test programme can be used to verify the design methodology. The paper concludes by reporting the progress being made towards the design and deployment of a grid-connected device.