OpTiCA · Optimisation of Tidal energy Converter Arrays

Optimisation of Tidal energy Converter Arrays

As technology readiness level of Tidal Energy Converters (TECs) increases, moving from prototype demonstration to commercialisation, research efforts are focusing on TEC arrays layout optimisation to reduce costs and become competitive in comparison with other energy systems. Even though there are several prototypes of different scales that have been tested in the last years (lab conditions) there is limited data on deployments in real conditions. This negatively affects the accurate formulation of constrained problems on array schemes, resulting in incomplete layout optimisation models. This project aims to provide a significant contribution towards the understanding of (a) the effects of TECs interactions with the environment; (b) the capabilities and limitations of common strategies used for the numerical modelling of TECs; and (c) how to mathematically formulate optimisation models to solve the TEC array layout problem considering technical, socio-economic and environmental constraints. From the methodology point of view, constraint optimisation models will be mathematically formulated considering data collected from in-field measurements from prototypes tested in real environments and with surrogates built from validated numerical simulations. The outcomes of the project will contribute to de-risk financial investment. Within OpTICA a numerical model was used to develop an optimisation method for TEC arrays which was successfully applied to a test case, proving that it can be used worldwide. The method demonstrates that the optimisation routine must be coupled with the system hydrodynamics to improve power capture and assess impacts on circulation patterns. It was also found that there is the need to test and operate, for longer periods, TEC arrays prototypes in relevant and operational environments to further advance the understanding of both the influence of the environment on the devices performance and their environmental impact. This will allow to improve the tuning of numerical tools for the correct representation of TECs, as well as sophisticating mathematical optimisation models to solve the TEC array layout problem.

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