NUMERICAL MODELLING OF VERTICAL-AXIS AND TRANSVERSE-FLOW HYDROKINETIC TURBINE IN THE RIVER LOIRE

Hydrokinetic turbines can recover the kinetic energy of marine or river currents. The HYDROFLUV research and development project (funded by FUI with support from the Tenerrdis, DERBI and DREAM clusters) aims to demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of vertical-axis and transverse-flow turbines. Members of the HYDROFLUV project - Hydroquest, FOC Transmissions, ERNEO, Biotope, EDF, Artelia and the LEGI laboratory - are working both on improving the machines and on developing a more complete commercial offering (administrative authorizations, impact studies and profitability). Numerical modelling conducted by the LEGI laboratory and Hydroquest has led to the definition of the machine's characteristics and main parameters. The incorporation of these terms in to a larger three-dimensional numerical model has enabled other parameters to be analyzed, such as head loss around the machine (variation in the free surface and current), interactions between machines, and hydrosedimentary impacts. Several academic studies have validated the developments made by comparing the models. The practical application concerns a study of the prototype scheduled to be placed in the river Loire in Orleans at the end of 2014. The model accurately represents the impacts of a machine on its environment and has proved to be highly representative compared to more specific local models, which are for the moment two-dimensional and require longer calculation times.