Abstract
This presentation will contain much new information not presented previously about testing of hydrokinetic turbines of up to 3 m diameter with a new purpose-built test vessel. This test vessel is powered by solar and wind energy with electric motors (i.e. a “green” vessel) and has zero carbon footprint. We will also elaborate on the design and construction method of this vessel and the funding obtained for construction. Furthermore, we will discuss the labor used for the construction which was incorporated into the educational curriculum of the renewable energy program at the College of the Florida Keys (CFK) (i.e., courses, internships, and research assistantships).
The vessel will be made available to any developer in the world who is willing to bring their equipment to our location and conduct prototype testing at the CFK Tidal Energy Simulation Laboratory wit the Renewable Energy Test Vessel (RETV) facility. The presentation will be a detailed description of all the systems and equipment used on board to monitor and log all output parameters of current energy converters (CECs). It will also detail the compliance with IEC standards, the test methodology and the equipment used to ultimately obtain a performance certificate(s). Permitting and compliance with local and federal authorities will also be discussed. Additionally, we will discuss environmental monitoring of fish interaction and turbine noise and collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).