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Title: Numerical Simulation of Marine Hydrokinetic Turbines in Realistic Operating Conditions.
Creator: Dunlap, Broc, VanZwieten, James, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: Marine Hydrokinetic (MHK) energy is an alternative to address the demand for cleaner energy sources. This study advanced numerical modeling tools and uses these to evaluate the performance of both a Tidal Turbine (TT) and an Ocean Current Turbine (OCT) operating in a variety of conditions. Inflow models are derived with current speeds ranging from 1.5 to 3 m/s and Turbulence Intensities (TI) of 5-15% and integrated into a TT simulation. An OCT simulation representing a commercial scale 20 m...
Show moreMarine Hydrokinetic (MHK) energy is an alternative to address the demand for cleaner energy sources. This study advanced numerical modeling tools and uses these to evaluate the performance of both a Tidal Turbine (TT) and an Ocean Current Turbine (OCT) operating in a variety of conditions. Inflow models are derived with current speeds ranging from 1.5 to 3 m/s and Turbulence Intensities (TI) of 5-15% and integrated into a TT simulation. An OCT simulation representing a commercial scale 20 m diameter turbine moored to the seafloor via underwater cable is enhanced with the capability to ingest Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) data and simulate fault conditions. ADCP measurements collected off the coast of Ft. Lauderdale during Hurricanes Irma and Maria were post-processed and used to characterize the OCT performance. In addition, a set of common faults were integrated into the OCT model to assess the system response in fault-induced scenarios.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013962
Subject Headings: Turbines, Ocean wave power, Simulations, Mathematical models
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: MODELING, PATH PLANNING, AND CONTROL CO-DESIGN OF MARINE CURRENT TURBINES.
Creator: Hasankhani, Arezoo, Tang, Yufei, VanZwieten, James, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: Marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy systems, including marine current turbines and wave energy converters, could contribute significantly to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving energy security while accelerating progress in the blue economy. However, technologies to capture them are nascent in development due to several technical and economic challenges. For example, for capturing ocean flows, the fluid velocity is low but density is high, resulting in early boundary layer...
Show moreMarine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy systems, including marine current turbines and wave energy converters, could contribute significantly to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving energy security while accelerating progress in the blue economy. However, technologies to capture them are nascent in development due to several technical and economic challenges. For example, for capturing ocean flows, the fluid velocity is low but density is high, resulting in early boundary layer separation and high torque. This dissertation addresses critical challenges in modeling, optimization, and control co-design of MHK energy systems, with specific case studies of a variable buoyancy-controlled marine current turbine (MCT). Specifically, this dissertation presents (a) comprehensive dynamic modeling of the MCT, where data recorded by an acoustic Doppler current profiler will be used as the real ocean environment; (b) vertical path planning of the MCT, where the problem is formulated as a novel spatial-temporal optimization problem to maximize the total harvested power of the system in an uncertain oceanic environment; (c) control co-design of the MCT, where the physical device geometry and turbine path control are optimized simultaneously. In a nutshell, the contributions are summarized as follows:
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013991
Subject Headings: Marine turbines, Modeling dynamic systems, Ocean wave power
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Sea current generator.
Creator: Wilson, Debra L.
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3358745
Subject Headings: Energy, Ocean currents, Alternative energy sources, Renewable energy sources, Ocean wave power
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Optimization of an Ocean Current Turbine Design and Prediction of Wake Propagation in an Array.
Creator: Kawssarani, Ali, VanZwieten, James H., Seiffert, Betsy, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
Abstract/Description: This research focused on maximizing the power generated by an array of ocean current turbines. To achieve this objective, the produced shaft power of an ocean current turbine (OCT) has been quantified using CFD without adding a duct, as well as over a range of duct geometries. For an upstream duct, having a diameter 1.6 times the rotor diameter, the power increased by 8.35% for a duct that extends 1 diameter upstream. This research also focused on turbine array optimization, providing a...
Show moreThis research focused on maximizing the power generated by an array of ocean current turbines. To achieve this objective, the produced shaft power of an ocean current turbine (OCT) has been quantified using CFD without adding a duct, as well as over a range of duct geometries. For an upstream duct, having a diameter 1.6 times the rotor diameter, the power increased by 8.35% for a duct that extends 1 diameter upstream. This research also focused on turbine array optimization, providing a mathematical basis for calculating the water velocity within an array of OCTs. After developing this wake model, it was validated using experimental data. As the downstream distance behind the turbine increases, the analytic results become closer to the experimental results, with a difference of 3% for TI = 3% and difference of 4% for TI = 15%, both at a downstream distance of 4 rotor diameters.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013077
Subject Headings: Turbines--Design and construction., Marine turbines., Ocean current energy, Ocean wave power
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Numerical Simulation and Performance Characterization of Two Wave Energy Converters.
Creator: DePietro, Abigail R., VanZwieten, James, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: This research consists of the numerical model development and simulation of two prototype Wave Energy Convertor designs (WECs) across three simulation types. The first design is an oscillating body WEC called the Platypus designed to capture wave energy as three paddle arms actuate over the surface of the waves. The second design is an overtopping type WEC called the ROOWaC which captures and drains entrained water to generate power. Modeling of these systems was conducted using two...
Show moreThis research consists of the numerical model development and simulation of two prototype Wave Energy Convertor designs (WECs) across three simulation types. The first design is an oscillating body WEC called the Platypus designed to capture wave energy as three paddle arms actuate over the surface of the waves. The second design is an overtopping type WEC called the ROOWaC which captures and drains entrained water to generate power. Modeling of these systems was conducted using two techniques: the Morison load approach implemented using hydrodynamic response coefficients used to model the Platypus and a boundary element method (BEM) frequency-domain approach to model both WEC designs in the time domain. The BEM models included the development of hydrodynamic response coefficients using a discretized panel mesh of the system for calculation of added mass, excitation, and radiation forces. These three model families provided both performance predictions and power output information to WEC developers that supply important data for future full-scale designs. These models were used to predict power generation estimates for both WECs as follows: the Platypus WEC was predicted to have a maximum efficiency range between 14.5-35% and the ROOWaC WEC was predicted to generate a maximum peak average power of 19 W upon preliminary results.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013956
Subject Headings: Ocean energy resources--Research, Ocean wave power, Simulations, Mathematical methods and modelling
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Numerical simulation tool for moored marine hydrokinetic turbines.
Creator: Hacker, Basil L., Ananthakrishnan, Palaniswamy, VanZwieten, James H., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
Abstract/Description: The research presented in this thesis utilizes Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory with a dynamic wake model to customize the OrcaFlex numeric simulation platform in order to allow modeling of moored Ocean Current Turbines (OCTs). This work merges the advanced cable modeling tools available within OrcaFlex with well documented BEM rotor modeling approach creating a combined tool that was not previously available for predicting the performance of moored ocean current turbines. This tool allows...
Show moreThe research presented in this thesis utilizes Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory with a dynamic wake model to customize the OrcaFlex numeric simulation platform in order to allow modeling of moored Ocean Current Turbines (OCTs). This work merges the advanced cable modeling tools available within OrcaFlex with well documented BEM rotor modeling approach creating a combined tool that was not previously available for predicting the performance of moored ocean current turbines. This tool allows ocean current turbine developers to predict and optimize the performance of their devices and mooring systems before deploying these systems at sea. The BEM rotor model was written in C++ to create a back-end tool that is fed continuously updated data on the OCT’s orientation and velocities as the simulation is running. The custom designed code was written specifically so that it could operate within the OrcaFlex environment. An approach for numerically modeling the entire OCT system is presented, which accounts for the additional degree of freedom (rotor rotational velocity) that is not accounted for in the OrcaFlex equations of motion. The properties of the numerically modeled OCT were then set to match those of a previously numerically modeled Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC) OCT system and comparisons were made. Evaluated conditions include: uniform axial and off axis currents, as well as axial and off axis wave fields. For comparison purposes these conditions were applied to a geodetically fixed rotor, showing nearly identical results for the steady conditions but varied, in most cases still acceptable accuracy, for the wave environment. Finally, this entire moored OCT system was evaluated in a dynamic environment to help quantify the expected behavioral response of SNMREC’s turbine under uniform current.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004024
Subject Headings: Fluid dynamics, Hydrodynamics -- Research, Marine turbines -- Mathematical models, Ocean wave power, Structural dynamics
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Finite Element Modeling and Fatigue Analysis of Composite Turbine Blades under Random Ocean Current and Turbulence.
Creator: Canino, Marco M., Mahfuz, Hassan, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
Abstract/Description: Several modifications have been implemented to numerical simulation codes based on blade element momentum theory (BEMT), for application to the design of ocean current turbine (OCT) blades. The modifications were applied in terms of section modulus and include adjustments due to core inclusion, buoyancy, and added mass. Hydrodynamic loads and mode shapes were calculated using the modified BEMT based analysis tools. A 3D model of the blade was developed using SolidWorks. The model was...
Show moreSeveral modifications have been implemented to numerical simulation codes based on blade element momentum theory (BEMT), for application to the design of ocean current turbine (OCT) blades. The modifications were applied in terms of section modulus and include adjustments due to core inclusion, buoyancy, and added mass. Hydrodynamic loads and mode shapes were calculated using the modified BEMT based analysis tools. A 3D model of the blade was developed using SolidWorks. The model was integrated with ANSYS and several loading scenarios, calculated from the modified simulation tools, were applied. A complete stress and failure analysis was then performed. Additionally, the rainflow counting method was used on ocean current velocity data to determine the loading histogram for fatigue analysis. A constant life diagram and cumulative fatigue damage model were used to predict the OCT blade life. Due to a critical area of fatigue failure being found in the blade adhesive joint, a statistical analysis was performed on experimental adhesive joint data.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004727, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004727
Subject Headings: Composite materials -- Fatigue, Finite element method, Fluid dynamics, Marine turbines -- Mathematical models, Ocean wave power, Structural dynamics
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Environmental siting suitability analysis for commercial scale ocean renewable energy: a southeast Florida case study.
Creator: Mulcan, Amanda, Hanson, Howard P., Hindle, Tobin, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: This thesis aims to facilitate the siting and implementation of Florida Atlantic University Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (FAU SNMREC) ocean current energy (OCE) projects offshore southeastern Florida through the analysis of benthic anchoring conditions. Specifically, a suitability analysis considering all presently available biologic and geologic datasets within the legal framework of OCE policy and regulation was done. OCE related literature sources were consulted to...
Show moreThis thesis aims to facilitate the siting and implementation of Florida Atlantic University Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (FAU SNMREC) ocean current energy (OCE) projects offshore southeastern Florida through the analysis of benthic anchoring conditions. Specifically, a suitability analysis considering all presently available biologic and geologic datasets within the legal framework of OCE policy and regulation was done. OCE related literature sources were consulted to assign suitability levels to each dataset, ArcGIS interpolations generated seafloor substrate maps, and existing submarine cable pathways were considered for OCE power cables. The finalized suitability map highlights the eastern study area as most suitable for OCE siting due to its abundance of sand/sediment substrate, existing underwater cable route access, and minimal biologic presence. Higher resolution datasets are necessary to locate specific OCE development locales, better understand their benthic conditions, and minimize potentially negative OCE environmental impacts.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004220, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004220
Subject Headings: Marine resources development -- Case studies, Ocean energy resources -- Environmental aspects -- Case studies, Ocean wave power -- Case studies, Renewable energy sources -- Environmental aspects -- Case studies
Format: Document (PDF)

FAU Theses and Dissertations (7)	+ -
HBOI Technical Reports (1)	+ -

Ocean wave power (7)	+ -
Fluid dynamics (2)	+ -
Marine turbines -- Mathematical models (2)	+ -
Simulations (2)	+ -
Structural dynamics (2)	+ -

Alternative energy sources (1)	+ -
Composite materials -- Fatigue (1)	+ -
Energy (1)	+ -
Finite element method (1)	+ -
Hydrodynamics -- Research (1)	+ -
Marine resources development -- Case studies (1)	+ -
Marine turbines (1)	+ -
Marine turbines. (1)	+ -
Mathematical methods and modelling (1)	+ -
Mathematical models (1)	+ -
Modeling dynamic systems (1)	+ -
Ocean current energy (1)	+ -
Ocean currents (1)	+ -
Ocean energy resources -- Environmental aspects -- Case studies (1)	+ -
Ocean energy resources--Research (1)	+ -
Ocean wave power -- Case studies (1)	+ -
Renewable energy sources (1)	+ -
Renewable energy sources -- Environmental aspects -- Case studies (1)	+ -
Turbines (1)	+ -
Turbines--Design and construction. (1)	+ -

Electronic Thesis or Dissertation (7)	+ -
technical report (1)	+ -

College of Engineering and Computer Science (6)	+ -
Florida Atlantic University (6)	+ -
Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering (5)	+ -
VanZwieten, James (3)	+ -
VanZwieten, James H. (2)	+ -

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