In light of the effects of climate change and the simultaneous demands on the energy supply, research has focused more on developing cleaner, renewable energy technologies. Despite its pivotal role in this transformation, hydropower still bears many environmental concerns. Nevertheless, many emerging technologies utilize the energy from water in different ways than conventional hydropower plants. One of these technologies is Horizontal Axis Hydrokinetic Turbines (HAHTs), which harness the kinetic energy in the flowing water using smaller, more flexible turbines with minimal environmental impact. They can be installed virtually anywhere, offering a promising solution to off-grid electrification and improving access to clean and reliable energy. However, despite their potential, HAHTs are still in the early stages, with only a few successful projects operational. This can be attributed, in part, to the lack of research in understanding the loads and dynamics of these turbines in real-world conditions. This study aims to bridge this research gap by investigating the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces acting on HAHTs evaluating their flotation, stability, and dynamics. The objective is to provide recommendations for future HAHT designs, aiding engineers in effectively controlling the turbines’ dynamic behavior. The analyzed turbine can be characterized as a 6 kW, diffuser-augmented HAHT with two three-bladed rotors. Experiments are conducted using a 1:10 scaled model and tested in a flume at the Associate Professorship of Hydromechanics at the Technical University of Munich. In drawing comparisons with naval architecture, this study applies the 1957 ITTC method to extrapolate the measured resistance. In this process, a form factor is identified, and the applicability of this method is validated using reference data. Furthermore, this study finds how by changing the submerged volume and weight of the turbine, as well as the length of the anchor cable, the behavior of the HAHT can be controlled for varying dynamic conditions.     «

In light of the effects of climate change and the simultaneous demands on the energy supply, research has focused more on developing cleaner, renewable energy technologies. Despite its pivotal role in this transformation, hydropower still bears many environmental concerns. Nevertheless, many emerging technologies utilize the energy from water in different ways than conventional hydropower plants. One of these technologies is Horizontal Axis Hydrokinetic Turbines (HAHTs), which harness the kineti...     »