Experimental study of the aerodynamic characteristics of a low-aspect-ratio flat plate array in a configuration of interest for a tidal energy converter

Wind tunnel experiments were conducted for the flow around a single flat plate and through an array of three parallel flat plates at different angles of incidence to compare their lift and drag coefficients for several values of the Reynolds number around 105 and for three aspect ratio values. The selected cascade configuration is of interest for a particular type of tidal hydrokinetic energy converter. The main differences in the lift and drag forces are discussed, finding that for a plate in a cascade the maximum lift coefficient takes place at a quite different angle of attack, depending on the aspect ratio. The optimal conditions for extracting power from a tidal current are analyzed.