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A Full-Scale Tidal Blade Fatigue Test using the FastBlade Facility

Author

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  • Lopez Dubon, Sergio
  • Vogel, Christopher
  • Garcia Cava, David
  • Cuthill, Fergus
  • McCarthy, Edward D.
  • Ó Bradaigh, Conchur M.

Abstract

Fatigue testing of tidal turbine blades requires the application of cyclic loads without the ability to match the natural frequency of the blade due to their high stiffness and the associated thermal issues of testing composite materials at those frequencies (i.e., 18–20 Hz). To solve this, loading the blades with an auxiliary system is necessary; in most cases, a conventional hydraulic system tends to be highly energy-demanding and inefficient. A regenerative digital displacement hydraulic pump system was employed in the FastBlade fatigue testing facility, which saved up to 75 % compared to a standard hydraulic system. A series of equivalent target loads were defined using Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) simulations (based on on-site collected water velocity data) and utilised in FastBlade to demonstrate an efficient way to perform fatigue testing. During the test, a series of measurements were performed on the blade response and the Fastblade test structure itself, providing novel insights into the mechanical behaviour of a blade, and enabling improved testing practice for FastBlade. Without catastrophic failure, the blade withstood the principal tidal loading for 20 years (equivalent). This test data will enable FastBlade to identify improvements to the testing procedures, i.e., control strategies, load introduction, instrumentation layout, instrument calibration, and test design.

Suggested Citation

  • Lopez Dubon, Sergio & Vogel, Christopher & Garcia Cava, David & Cuthill, Fergus & McCarthy, Edward D. & Ó Bradaigh, Conchur M., 2024. "A Full-Scale Tidal Blade Fatigue Test using the FastBlade Facility," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:228:y:2024:i:c:s0960148124007213
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.120653
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ahmed, U. & Apsley, D.D. & Afgan, I. & Stallard, T. & Stansby, P.K., 2017. "Fluctuating loads on a tidal turbine due to velocity shear and turbulence: Comparison of CFD with field data," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 235-246.
    2. Li, Wei & Zhou, Hongbin & Liu, Hongwei & Lin, Yonggang & Xu, Quankun, 2016. "Review on the blade design technologies of tidal current turbine," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 414-422.
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    5. Kennedy, Ciaran R. & Jaksic, Vesna & Leen, Sean B. & Brádaigh, Conchúr M.Ó., 2018. "Fatigue life of pitch- and stall-regulated composite tidal turbine blades," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 688-699.
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