Design, Control and Monitoring of Tidal Stream Turbine Systems

The worldwide potential of electric power from tidal currents is potentially between 100 and 120 GW. The technology uses the ebb and flow currents off coasts to drive submerged turbines. The high load factor and the predictable resource characteristics make tidal energy an attractive, reliable power source. The technology is advancing rapidly towards maturity; several projects have now reached a relatively mature stage and are close to completion, but challenges remain. Topics for ongoing research include hydrodynamics and turbine design, as well as the power conversion interface (including the electric generator), control, and monitoring and maintenance challenges. Design, Control and Monitoring of Tidal Stream Turbine Systems presents an overview of tidal energy research. Chapters cover tidal stream turbine generators and drivetrain design options, turbine control, fault-tolerant control, monitoring and fault diagnosis, and biofouling issues in tidal stream turbines. The book is intended to enable readers to contribute to designing tidal power systems. Written by experts in the field, this book is aimed at researchers and engineers involved with tidal stream energy, in academia and industry, as well as advanced students with an interest in the topic.