Power generation characteristics of a novel horizontal tidal current power generation system installed in the Akashi Strait of Japan

Power generation characteristics of a horizontal tidal current power generation system have been investigated. At first, a model test had been carried out at laboratory level for finding more optimal shapes of the turbine of the generation system. Secondly, two tests had been carried out for two model sizes (medium size: 1.2m × 0.65m, large size: 6.0m × 3.0m). In the laboratory test, the constructed systems have been tested under three different current speeds, 1.35knot, 1.5knot and 2knot. Five different model shapes (A50, SE50, S50, S55, S65) have been tested. The width of the blade installed around the body is 50mm. To investigate the flow characteristics around the turbine blades, a PIV test had been carried out under electric load conditions. The power generation performances had been obtained from this model test. Among the models it had been verified that the S65 has the highest efficiency of power generation. The power generation characteristics of two model sizes that have the optimal shape had been investigated. The medium one had been tested under 1.5knot, 2.0knot, 2.5knot and 3.0knot. The large one was done under 4.28knot.