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Using Numerical Analysis to Design and Optimize River Hydrokinetic Turbines’ Capacity Factor to Address Seasonal Velocity Variations

Author

Listed:
  • Bahador Shaabani

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, 75 Chancellors Cir, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6, Canada)

  • Vijay Chatoorgoon

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, 75 Chancellors Cir, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6, Canada)

  • Eric Louis Bibeau

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, 75 Chancellors Cir, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6, Canada)

Abstract

Seasonal velocity variations can significantly impact the total energy delivered to microgrids produced by river hydrokinetic turbines. These turbines typically use a diffuser to increase the velocity at the rotor section, adding weight and raising deployment costs. There is a need for practical solutions to improve the capacity factor of such turbines. Our solution involves using multiple turbine rotors that can be interchanged to match seasonal velocity changes, eliminating shrouds to simplify design and reduce costs. This solution requires turbines that are designed to have an easily interchanged rotor, which requires us to limit the rotor to a two-blade design to also lower costs. This approach adjusts the turbine power curve with different two-blade rotor sizes, enhancing the yearly capacity factor. BladeGen ANSYS Workbench is used to design three two-blade rotors for free stream velocities of 1.6, 2.2, and 2.8 m/s. For each turbine rotor, 3D simulation is applied to reduce aerodynamic losses and target a coefficient of performance of about 45%. Mechanical stress analyses assess the displacement and stress of the used composite materials. Numerical results show good agreement with experimental data, with rotor efficiencies ranging from 43% to 45% at a tip speed ratio of 4 and power output between 5.4 and 5.6 kW. Results show that rotor interchangeability significantly enhances the turbine capacity factor, increasing it from 52% to 92% by adapting to river seasonal velocity changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Bahador Shaabani & Vijay Chatoorgoon & Eric Louis Bibeau, 2025. "Using Numerical Analysis to Design and Optimize River Hydrokinetic Turbines’ Capacity Factor to Address Seasonal Velocity Variations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-28, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:3:p:477-:d:1572937
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gaden, David L.F. & Bibeau, Eric L., 2010. "A numerical investigation into the effect of diffusers on the performance of hydro kinetic turbines using a validated momentum source turbine model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 1152-1158.
    2. Chang, Tian-Pau & Liu, Feng-Jiao & Ko, Hong-Hsi & Cheng, Shih-Ping & Sun, Li-Chung & Kuo, Shye-Chorng, 2014. "Comparative analysis on power curve models of wind turbine generator in estimating capacity factor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 88-95.
    3. Stephanie Ordonez-Sanchez & Matthew Allmark & Kate Porter & Robert Ellis & Catherine Lloyd & Ivan Santic & Tim O’Doherty & Cameron Johnstone, 2019. "Analysis of a Horizontal-Axis Tidal Turbine Performance in the Presence of Regular and Irregular Waves Using Two Control Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-22, January.
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