Validation of a computational hydrodynamics model for horizontal-axis marine current turbines

Results of a computational study to analyse the hydrodynamic performance of horizontal-axis marine current turbines are presented. The methodology is valid for arbitrary three-dimensional unsteady inviscid flows around lifting bodies that results into a Boundary Integral Equation (BIE) model. A viscosity-correction model accounts for performance deviations from idealised potential flow conditions. The methodology is validated by comparison with experimental data from flume tank tests carried out at CNR-INSEAN in the framework of an application by company SABELLA SAS to the Trans-national Access program of the EU-FP7 Project MARINET. Results allow to estimate the accuracy of the proposed methodology to predict turbine performance and its reliability as design tool.