Experimental Validation of Tidal Energy Systems through Real-Time Simulation of Water Waves Using Hydrodynamic Flume Tank

Recently Pakistan is confronted with serious energy crisis with the shortfall of 6000MW to 7000MW in May 2018. Although Pakistan have many resources to full fill electric requirement and Tidal energy is one of the most important technology. Tidal energy is a system in which the kinetic energy of tid

Project Title

Experimental Validation of Tidal Energy Systems through Real-Time Simulation of Water Waves Using Hydrodynamic Flume Tank

Project Area of Specialization

Shared Economy

Project Summary

Recently Pakistan is confronted with serious energy crisis with the shortfall of 6000MW to 7000MW in May 2018. Although Pakistan have many resources to full fill electric requirement and Tidal energy is one of the most important technology. Tidal energy is a system in which the kinetic energy of tides provides mechanical energy to the prime mover of the turbine which drives the generator and then the generator generates electricity. Tidal energy system can help to overcome the shortfall of electricity in Pakistan, but before implementing it in real sea we need to test it first in laboratory. It can be tested in laboratory using test bench in which different turbines will be placed and check what type of response will be taken from different turbines. Although different types of test bench are available in world, but the most common and useful test bench is flume tank test bench in which different levels of tides can be generated. These test benches are expensive and large, so we will make a test bench that will be small and less costly. Moreover, it also gives real time response of tides and electricity generated as well. A real time prototype will be developed in which different tides will be simulated and monitored and show the level of tides. Tests will be performed using traditional tidal turbines and the electricity that is generated will also be monitored using software. Hence, this project will show different responses at different turbines. Data of tides will be taken from websites and can be tested. This project will help in large scale implementation of tidal energy system accurately. With the help of this project there is no need of probabilistic approximations. Furthermore, this project will be helpful for the students who want to learn about tidal energy system.

Project Objectives

Develop a cost-effective laboratory test bench for tidal energy system modeling and practical validation. As we know that Pakistan is suffering from the energy crises and we have a vast coastal line area. We can utilize this natural gift by implementing the setup of tidal energy system .For developing such system we need a prototype apparatus to test the specifications of the turbine and the nature of the water. For such approach we will implement the flume tank topology for prototyping of tidal energy systems and turbines. In this prototype we can substitute different types of the turbine to observe the different nature of the different turbines. This prototype will enable us to model and implement any tidal turbine to see the effect of different water tides on the tidal energy system.

Project Implementation Method

We will make a flume tank in which we will attach a flapper which will act like a wave generator. Flapper will generate different types of waves. Then turbine will be assembled in the flume tank .there is gear assembly on the back of the turbine. When flapper generate waves. Waves will strike on the turbine due to which turbine will rotate and gear assembly will also do some rotation .it will active the generator due to which power will be generated. Different turbines will give different rate of energy .in the flume tank there is also a slope which will act like a wave breaker it will help to stop water splashing and bouncing back. We will design different slope with different height to examine the best area of substitution of the turbine to get more efficient results.

Benefits of the Project

By this project we are making a test bench for our university. Our university can do work on tidal energy system in future. Students in future can do future research on tidal energy and can efficient the generation by tidal energy topology. They have a test bench through which they can test there turbine and analyze the best turbine for their research

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

1) Mechanical concept of turbines and motor coupled with gear assembly.

2) Wave generator, wave nature close to real water waves.

3) Ultrasonic sensor as a water amplitude indicator.

4) Flexible and durable flume tank to check wave nature and turbine behavior.

5) Flume tank can also help to test fishing gears and flooding safety measures at sea banks bypassing small design changes in it.

6) Overall project will boost interest of power engineers towards tidal energy by testing there turbine designs in it.

7) Lab equipment for tidal energy system.

8) Concept of fishing tank as a tidal energy test bench.

9) Monitoring of data and data analysis using various softwares (Matlab, excel) etc.

10) Physical and geographical potential of Pakistan for tidal energy generation.

11) Portable small scale tidal energy testing system for students and researchers.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Type of Industry

Education , Energy

Technologies

3D/4D Printing, Others

Sustainable Development Goals

Quality Education, Sustainable Cities and Communities

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com