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A three-dimensional regional scale model for tidal stream turbine implementation and impact assessment

Conference Paper

Title: A three-dimensional regional scale model for tidal stream turbine implementation and impact assessment
Author:
Li, X.; Li, M.; Wolf, J.; Williams, A.; Badoe, C.; Masters, I.
Publication Date:
Event Name:
14th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC 2021)
Event Location:
Plymouth, UK
Publisher:
14th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference
Affiliation:
Swansea University, University of Liverpool, National Oceanography Centre (NOC)
Technology:
Current, Tidal
Collection Method:
Modeling
Engineering:
Hydrodynamics
Language:
English

Document Access

Website:
External Link

Citation

Li, X.; Li, M.; Wolf, J.; Williams, A.; Badoe, C.; Masters, I. (2021). A three-dimensional regional scale model for tidal stream turbine implementation and impact assessment. Paper presented at 14th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC 2021), Plymouth, UK.
@conference{Li-2021-17911,
author = {Li, X and Li, M and Wolf, J and Williams, A and Badoe, C and Masters, I},
title = {A three-dimensional regional scale model for tidal stream turbine implementation and impact assessment},
year = {2021},
month = {sep},
series = {14th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC 2021)},
address = {Plymouth, UK},
publisher = {14th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference},
url = {https://submissions.ewtec.org/proc-ewtec/issue/view/14th-ewtec-2021},
keywords = {Current, Tidal, Modeling, Hydrodynamics},
}
Export Citation to BibTex
TY - CONF
TI - A three-dimensional regional scale model for tidal stream turbine implementation and impact assessment
AU - Li, X
AU - Li, M
AU - Wolf, J
AU - Williams, A
AU - Badoe, C
AU - Masters, I
T2 - 14th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC 2021)
C1 - Plymouth, UK
AB - This research aims to implement a threedimensional regional scale numerical model within a region of the Irish Sea (between 52.808˚N and 53.842˚N) that is suitable for turbine array implementation and impact assessment. This research is based on a three-dimensional wave-current-sediment fully coupled oceanographic model (FVCOM), and modifications made by the authors to the current, turbulence and surface wave modules to simulate the potential impact of tidal turbines. The baseline model, i.e. without turbine implementation, is validated extensively against water level measurements at two tide gauges, tidal current data collected at four locations, and wave climate collected by a WaveNet bouy. In the case study, 18 turbines of 15-20 m diameter are modelled individually in the waterway between Anglesey and the Skerries. Results reveal the potential effects of the turbine farm on flow field, turbulence kinetic energy (TKE), bed shear stress and surface waves. Defining the wake edge as flow recovery to 95% of the baseline case, there are slight wake effects for a distance of around 14 times the array width downstream of the device farm. As a result of the high spatial resolution used, local effects of the turbine farm are revealed by the model, such as flow acceleration on both sides of the turbine farm, flow acceleration near the bed in the vicinity of the turbine farm which leads to enhanced bed shear stress, and locally increased TKE.
DA - 2021/09//
PY - 2021
PB - 14th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference
UR - https://submissions.ewtec.org/proc-ewtec/issue/view/14th-ewtec-2021
LA - English
KW - Current
KW - Tidal
KW - Modeling
KW - Hydrodynamics
ER -
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Abstract

This  research  aims  to  implement  a  threedimensional regional scale numerical model within a region of  the  Irish  Sea  (between  52.808˚N  and  53.842˚N)  that  is suitable  for  turbine  array  implementation  and  impact assessment.  This  research  is  based  on  a  three-dimensional wave-current-sediment fully  coupled  oceanographic model (FVCOM),  and  modifications  made  by  the  authors  to  the current,  turbulence  and  surface  wave  modules  to  simulate the  potential  impact  of  tidal  turbines.  The  baseline  model, i.e. without  turbine  implementation,  is  validated extensively  against  water  level  measurements  at  two  tide gauges,  tidal  current  data  collected  at  four  locations,  and wave  climate  collected  by  a  WaveNet  bouy.  In  the  case study,  18  turbines  of  15-20  m  diameter  are  modelled individually  in  the  waterway  between  Anglesey  and  the Skerries.  Results  reveal  the  potential  effects  of  the  turbine farm  on  flow  field,  turbulence  kinetic  energy  (TKE),  bed shear  stress  and  surface  waves.  Defining  the  wake  edge  as flow  recovery  to  95%  of  the  baseline  case,  there  are  slight wake  effects  for  a  distance  of  around  14  times  the  array width downstream of the device farm. As a result of the high spatial  resolution used,  local  effects  of  the  turbine  farm  are revealed  by  the  model,  such  as  flow  acceleration  on  both sides  of  the  turbine  farm,  flow  acceleration  near  the  bed  in the  vicinity of the  turbine farm which leads to enhanced bed shear  stress,  and  locally  increased  TKE.