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Tidal Turbine Test System The Challenge:        New forms of alternative renewable energy sources such as wave, tidal, thermal, and offshore wind power are becoming necessary to supplement current fossil fuel based energy consumption. Many of these alternatives are becoming more economically feasible.   As with any technology that interacts with the environment, alternative energy technologies become practical based upon local geography. Due to Maine’s large tidal fluctuations, currents in some narrow passages along its coastline have flow velocities of up to five knots. This untapped periodic renewable energy source could be captured through the use of tidal turbine arrays. The Project:        Currently, there are no standards for modeling power production of tidal turbines in a flow. Nor, is there a publicly available baseline model of a tidal turbine accompanied by performance specifications. Our team’s goal is to test and create scalable propeller curves that accurately model potential power output from given flows. This is a high priority project which has both economic and political potential to positively impact the Maine economy and the University of Maine's research directions.

Mechanical Engineering Senior Design 2007-2008

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