Active Flow Control on Bidirectional Rotors for Tidal Marine Hydrokinetic ApplicationsCX(s) Applied: A9Date: 11/30/2010Location(s): Davis, CaliforniaOffice(s): Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
November 30, 2010
Estimated Read Time min
CX(s) Applied: A9
Date: 11/30/2010
Location(s): Davis, California
Office(s): Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Golden Field Office
The University of California, Davis (UCD) is proposing to use Department of Energy funding for computer modeling to improve the design of the bidirectional rotor tidal turbine (BRTT) for tidal marine hydrokinetic applications. The BRTT design, an already established and commercially applied technology, has disadvantages. Although the simpler design reduces energy costs, without pitch-adjustment and optimally cambered blades, the BRTT rotor is relatively inefficient. UCD is proposing to recapture some of the performance shortcomings of the BRTT concept using microtabs to improve blade aerodynamics and rotor performance.