Abstract
The effects of free-surface proximity on the flow field around tidal stream turbines are modelled using actuator disc theory. Theoretical results are presented for a blocked configuration of tidal stream turbines such as a linear array that account for the proximity of the free surface and the seabed. The theoretical results are compared to open channel flow experimental results in which the flow field has been simulated using a porous disc and strip. These results are complemented by more detailed measurements of the performance of a model horizontal-axis turbine carried out in a water flume and a wind tunnel. The two sets of experiments represent highly blocked and effectively unblocked cases, respectively. The theoretical model of the effects of free-surface proximity provides a blockage correction for axial induction that can be incorporated in blade element momentum codes. The performance predictions obtained with such a code are in good agreement with the experimental results for CP and CT at low tip-speed ratios. The agreement weakens with increasing tip-speed ratio, as the wake of turbine enters a reversed flow state. A correction following the philosophy of Maskell is applied to CT in this region, which provides a better agreement.