Development and validation of a prediction model for the multi-wake of tidal stream turbines

Abstract

The proposed analytical wake model which is proposed for multi-wake predictions of tidal stream turbines. This analytical wake model is developed referring to the classical Jensen wake model, reanalyzing the equations used in predicting the velocity distribution of ship propeller jets, and expressing the wake decay coefficient as a function of the ambient turbulence intensity. Coupled with three types of multi-wake combination models, the reliability of the proposed wake prediction model is evaluated through comparing with experimental and numerical data of two wakes interaction. It is found that the wake deficit predicted by the proposed wake model exhibit pleasant agreement with the numerical results as well as the experimental measurements. The developed model also provides reasonable predictions of power output in the cases five aligned turbines under two different turbulence conditions.