Abstract
System integration involves the combination of various subsystems, assemblies, sub-assemblies, components, and parts into a unified, cohesive system. Herein, we detail the system hierarchy, workflow and tasks to integrate and test subsystems, assemblies, subassemblies and components of an open-source tidal energy converter system, which includes rotor, blades, Power takeoff, turbine yaw mechanism subassemblies as well as data acquisition subsystem and turbine deployment platform. The turbine system includes a nacelle, a 2.5 m diameter rotor with hub and blades, motor/generator, gearbox, tower with a yaw drive, many sensors, and power/data cables. The turbine system integration is a critical task prior to subsystems testing and deployment. Blades are machined, equipped with sensors, and calibrated before assembly. Motor control and instrumentation will be integrated into a UNH-built variant of the NREL-MODAQ. The OSTEC testbed will undergo several stages of calibration and deployment readiness verification at the UNH/AMEC dry testing facilities prior to being integrated onto the Living Bridge open water deployment platform for long term testing at the Memorial bridge test site. With the system integration, the goal is to provide a unified system that comprises different subsystems, assemblies and subassemblies that can provide data on inflow conditions, power performance, mechanical loads, and health monitoring of the overall system. This work will provide an update on the Instrumented Tidal Turbine Testbed's system integration.
The presentation for this paper at UMERC+ METS 2024 can be found here.