In this paper, an iterative BEM/RANS approach is adopted to solve the multi-turbine interaction problem. The paper starts by introducing the boundary element method (BEM) and the algorithm to couple BEM with a RANS solver. Then, BEM is validated by a comparison with a single tidal turbine experiment. Finally, the BEM/RANS scheme is applied to a multi-turbine interaction case with different types of arrangement patterns and different turbine-to-turbine spacings. The BEM/RANS scheme is shown to work well in this multi-turbine interaction problem mainly due to the capability of using a strictly cartesian grid in RANS, which minimizes the artificial diffusion and improves the numerical accuracy for predicting long-range flow development. The representation of the turbine by body force/mass source fields in the BEM/RANS approach reduces the number of cells required for a RANS simulation and, therefore, greatly reduces the computational cost.

Keywords:
sustainable development, arrangement, renewable energy, texas texas section, experiment, geometry, naval architect, social responsibility, interaction problem, inflow
Subjects:
Sustainability/Social Responsibility, Information Management and Systems, Sustainable development
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2018. The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
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