A preliminary analysis of the effect of the onset flow structure on tidal turbine blade loads

A significant challenge designers of tidal stream turbines face is ensuring that the device can survive the harsh operating environment. Understanding the effect of the onset flow structure on the loading spectrum of the blades will lead to improved blade designs. The results of a preliminary parametric analysis suggest that the mean flow speed, longitudinal turbulence intensity, wave state and depth of hub relative to the channel depth are dominant drivers of the blade loads for horizontal-axis tidal turbines. They should therefore be accurately modeled in both fatigue and extreme load analyses.