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Role of preload in determining the performance enhancement of tidal turbines by passive pitch

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  • Sunil, Puja
  • Frankowski, Kuba
  • Young, Anna M.
  • O’Sullivan, Michael
  • McCarthy, Edward D.
  • Broglia, Riccardo
  • Viola, Ignazio Maria

Abstract

In this study, we present results from an experimental and analytical study on a turbine equipped with three independent passively pitching blades and show the effect of different levels of spring preload. Results demonstrate that passive pitch blades can produce the same power and thrust as a fixed pitch turbine at any design condition. If the preload is set below the optimum value, the power captured is reduced, but the thrust load is reduced by a larger amount, leading to an increase in hydrodynamic efficiency. Setting the preload too high results in increased thrust and reduced power at the turbine design point. At off-design conditions, the passive pitch turbine with optimal preload shows reduced thrust compared with the fixed pitch turbine while matching the power output, giving an efficiency increase of up to 20%. Therefore, passive pitch can be used to improve efficiency when working at off-design conditions. The passive pitch system is also shown to mitigate load fluctuations at frequencies below the turbine rotational frequency. Results from the analytical study show that blade element momentum theory can be used to model the dynamics of a passive pitch turbine, and it is therefore an appropriate design tool for such systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Sunil, Puja & Frankowski, Kuba & Young, Anna M. & O’Sullivan, Michael & McCarthy, Edward D. & Broglia, Riccardo & Viola, Ignazio Maria, 2026. "Role of preload in determining the performance enhancement of tidal turbines by passive pitch," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PI).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pi:s0960148125023626
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124698
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thomas Scarlett, Gabriel & Viola, Ignazio Maria, 2020. "Unsteady hydrodynamics of tidal turbine blades," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 843-855.
    2. Gambuzza, Stefano & Sunil, Puja & Felli, Mario & Young, Anna M. & Broglia, Riccardo & McCarthy, Edward D. & Viola, Ignazio Maria, 2025. "Power and thrust control by passive pitch for tidal turbines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    3. Scarlett, Gabriel Thomas & Sellar, Brian & van den Bremer, Ton & Viola, Ignazio Maria, 2019. "Unsteady hydrodynamics of a full-scale tidal turbine operating in large wave conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 199-213.
    4. Pisetta, Gabriele & Le Mestre, Robin & Viola, Ignazio Maria, 2022. "Morphing blades for tidal turbines: A theoretical study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 802-819.
    5. Brian G. Sellar & Gareth Wakelam & Duncan R. J. Sutherland & David M. Ingram & Vengatesan Venugopal, 2018. "Characterisation of Tidal Flows at the European Marine Energy Centre in the Absence of Ocean Waves," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-23, January.
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    7. Zaki, Abanoub & Abdelrahman, M.A. & Ayad, Samir S. & Abdellatif, O.E., 2022. "Effects of leading edge slat on the aerodynamic performance of low Reynolds number horizontal axis wind turbine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PD).
    8. Gambuzza, Stefano & Pisetta, Gabriele & Davey, Thomas & Steynor, Jeffrey & Viola, Ignazio Maria, 2023. "Model-scale experiments of passive pitch control for tidal turbines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 10-29.
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