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A twin unidirectional impulse turbine topology for OWC based wave energy plants - Experimental validation and scaling
K. Mala, V. Jayashankar, , Sundarm Moses Santhakumar,
Published in
2011
Volume: 36
   
Issue: 1
Pages: 307 - 314
Abstract
The twin unidirectional turbine topology was recently proposed with the promise of very significant improvements in the energy capture in Oscillating Water Column (OWC) based wave energy plants. Here, we present the initial results of the experimental validation of the twin unidirectional impulse turbine topology. A scale model of the concept was built and tested using simulated bidirectional flow. The model consists of two 165 mm impulse turbines each individually coupled to 375 W grid connected induction machines. An oscillatory flow test rig was used to simulate bidirectional flow to test the model. The results of the experiments validate the concept of the twin turbine configuration. The proposed topology utilizes no moving parts and achieves more than 50% efficiency over a broad range of flow coefficients. A comparison with other competing turbines (viz, a twin Wells' turbine, a linked guide vane impulse turbine and a fixed guide vane impulse turbine) is done, based on actual measurements in the Indian wave energy plant. The results from the experiments are scaled to evaluate the design features of a 50 GWh wave energy plant. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.
About the journal
JournalRenewable Energy
ISSN09601481
Open AccessNo
Concepts (30)
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    BI-DIRECTIONAL FLOWS
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    DESIGN FEATURES
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    ENERGY CAPTURE
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    Experimental validations
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    FIXED GUIDE VANES
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    Flow coefficients
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    Grid-connected
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    GUIDE VANE
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    IMPULSE TURBINES
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    Induction machines
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    Moving parts
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    OSCILLATING WATER COLUMN
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    Oscillatory flows
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    OWC
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    Scale models
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    TWIN TURBINE TOPOLOGY
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    Wave energy
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    Computer simulation
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    Experiments
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    Topology
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    WAVE ENERGY CONVERSION
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    WAVE POWER
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    Hydraulic turbines
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    Design method
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    Experimental study
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    Model test
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    Oscillating flow
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    Power plant
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    Turbine
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    WATER COLUMN