QED Naval, supported by the Energy Technology Partnership (ETP), has used the new Flowave Ocean Test Facility in Edinburgh for Subhub tidal turbine foundation structure testing.
QED Naval sees Subhub as their flagship project. The Subhub is a foundation structure for wave and tidal turbines.
The testing was conducted flow tests at zero, 15 and 30 cross flow angles using perforated discs to generate the represent the correct drag load of the turbines.
The forces and moments in all 6 degrees of freedom were measured over a number of different tank speeds to extreme levels.
The extreme loading on the structure was measured using just waves and then waves and tide combined from all the points of the compass at intervals of 30 degrees.
The company said that the performance characteristics of the Schottel model turbine compared with Schottel tank test and its turbine but without the Subhub, significant increases in performance were noted by using the Subhub which result in a major increase in power output.