Power output performance characteristics of a horizontal axis marine current turbine

A 0.4m diameter horizontal axis marine current turbine was tested in a circulating water channel. The power output was measured over a range of flow speeds, blade pitch and rotor yaw angles. Experimental results were compared with the modelled output determined from a commercial blade element momentum computer package. The measured power output was found to be far in excess of predicted values for high blade inflow angles. This occurred where approximately half the blade was operating above the stall angle of attack. This represents 25% of the rotor disk area producing power under heavy stall. Values of overpower up to 140% were measured which are comparable to previous studies. The results show that power production and the optimum tip speed ratio reduced with yaw except for cases with high blade inflow angles.