Abstract
In order to understand the influence different marine research facilities have on the loading and performance of a generic tidal turbine model, a set of Round Robin Tests is undertaken under the MaRINET2 project. These tests are performed in two recirculating tanks and one towing tank. These facilities are chosen as they all provide low blockage ratios using a 0.724m diameter turbine. For the tests to be successful, the turbine model and the flow conditions have to be the same at all facilities. Two flow velocities, with and without waves are tested. Current and wave generation methodologies play an important role in the flow characteristics that will eventually influence the turbine model behaviour. The blade loading coefficients are computed using a discintegrated flow average to account for any flow gradients that may occur within the rotor area. Average blade loading coefficient trends are similar between facilities for TSR values lower than 3. For higher TSR values, however, coefficients can be up to 10% different. These differences are attributed to intrinsic characteristics (e.g. turbulence intensity) of each facility and blockage effects. Relative standard deviation values increase for TSR lower than 3 and start decreasing thereafter. Frequency response of the streamwise force Fx is highly influenced by the turbulence intensity of the flow.