Differences in fundamental design drivers for wind and tidal turbines

This paper investigates the main differences between wind and tidal turbines and shows that, despite the fact that they achieve the same goal of extracting energy from a moving fluid, they produce very difference forces and have different operational behaviors. The analysis begins by considering simple physical relationships to draw general conclusions. Results are then presented from simulations of two generic 1MW turbines: one marine turbine and one wind turbine to show the dynamic case.