BACKGROUND

In recent years, tidal energy has attracted global attention as a renewable marine energy source. Europe, America, Asia and other regions have become hot spots for development, and demonstration projects are being actively promoted. For example, the PLAT-1 floating tidal energy unit deployed by the UK Sustainable Marine (SM) company in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, has achieved grid-connected power generation. The oscillating hydrofoil power generation device has become a focus due to its high efficiency and low impact, but it faces challenges such as complex fluid simulation, difficult system design, and limited experimental conditions. Our project team has accumulated rich experience in the optimization research of oscillating hydrofoils, built an oscillating hydrofoil verification experimental platform, and proposed a plan for the construction of an experimental platform based on fluid visualization technology. In this regard, an multinational joint research project has been initiated, aiming at building an open and shared experimental platform and technology exchange center, to provide experimental and data protection for the research and development of the oscillating hydrofoil system of each cooperative unit, such as hydrofoil motion state, dynamic behavior of the fluid, and energy harvesting performance of the system, so as to provide support for the efficient optimization of the design of the high-performance oscillating hydrofoil system, and to inject new vitality into the power generation of ocean energy.

INTERESTED MEMBERS

· Harbin Engineering University

· Hong Kong Polytechnic University

· Ocean University of China

· Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai

· National Ocean Technology Center

SCHEDULE

Call for Participates and Introduction Meeting at ICNAME2024：2024.8.23

First Meeting at Harbin Engineering Univ.:  2024.8.25

Deadline for Testing Model Design and Preparation:  2024.12

Model Tests Start:  2025.1

CONTACT

JIP Contact：Prof. Xu Jianan

0451-82519700 

xujianan@hrbeu.edu.cn

Objective

The core of this project is to overcome the multi-dimensional and complex challenges of optimizing the energy harvesting performance of oscillating hydrofoils, focusing on the accurate prediction of the dynamic motion and morphology changes of flexible hydrofoils in the fluid environment. By integrating high-precision numerical simulation technology and fine experimental verification means, the project is committed to deeply analyzing the fine behavioral patterns of hydrofoils under hydrodynamic effects, and realizing a substantial breakthrough in technical bottlenecks. This work not only aims to significantly improve the energy harvesting efficiency, but also to enhance the operational stability and reliability of the system, thus paving the way for the commercialization of the oscillating hydrofoil technology and accelerating its pace from theoretical research to practical application.

Tasks

In order to achieve the above ambitious goals more effectively, this project carefully planned three core research contents: 

1.The fluid-solid coupling model of oscillating hydrofoil considering hydrofoil flexibility will be constructed; 

2.The experimental sharing platform based on fluid visualization technology will be built, and an experimental test scheme that can extract fluid features, solid features, and energy harvesting performance will also be proposed; 

3.The energy harvesting mechanism of the oscillating hydrofoil will be deeply analyzed, and the corresponding multi-parameter and multi-objective optimization design strategy will be proposed.

1.The fluid-solid coupling model of oscillating hydrofoil considering hydrofoil flexibility

· Content validity

By deeply integrating computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology with structural dynamics analysis, this project plans to construct a refined fluid-structure coupling model for studying the complex deformation caused by hydrofoil flexibility as well as the nonlinear kinematic properties of oscillating hydrofoils. The model not only accurately simulates the dynamic response of hydrofoils under hydrodynamic forces, but also reveals the subtle mechanisms of energy exchange and interaction between fluid-solid interfaces. This innovative simulation tool provides a solid theoretical foundation for the subsequent optimized design of oscillating hydrofoils, which aims to significantly improve the energy harvesting efficiency and promote the technological progress and development of related fields.

· Planning objectives

1. A fluid-structure coupling model considering hydrofoil flexibility is developed

2. The influence mechanism of hydrofoil flexibility on energy capture efficiency is analyzed.

Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)

Flexible hydrofoil

2.The experimental sharing platform based on fluid visualization technology, and the experimental test scheme

· Content validity

An experimental sharing platform based on fluid visualization technology is established to realize the visual display and quantitative analysis of the flow field around the hydrofoil. The shared experimental platform has good stability and repeatability, which provides strong support for the in-depth study of the fluid-solid coupling effect of the oscillating hydrofoil. A detailed experimental test program is designed and formulated, covering all aspects of fluid and solid properties and energy capture performance. 

· Planning objectives

1. An experimental sharing platform is built.

2. An all-encompassing experimental program is designed.

· Experimental site

1.61# (test)

2. Circulating water tank (Experiment)

· Experimental content

1.Data analysis and model validation;

2.Dynamic response analysis of hydrofoil;

3.Analysis of fluid dynamic behavior;

4.Shape change data acquisition of flexible hydrofoil;

5.Hydrofoil performance verification and Optimization and application verification.

· Testing details

1. An experimental sharing platform

Design plan：The plan for the construction of an experimental platform based on fluid visualization technology.

Fluid visualization systems: Dye or particle injection systems, laser and light sources, and camera equipment.

Measuring equipment: The sensor obtains the real-time data of the fluid; the data acquisition system collects and analyzes the data.

Control systems: Fluid control and experimental control.

Data processing and analysis: Image processing software processes images captured by the camera and analyzes fluid flow patterns; data analysis software analyzes measurement data to generate flow field maps, velocity distribution maps, etc.

2. The oscillating hydrofoil verification experimental platform

Design solution: Construction program of experimental platform based on the oscillating hydrofoil device, a control system, and a data acquisition system.

The oscillating hydrofoil device: Used to simulate the motion of the hydrofoil in water. The common oscillating hydrofoil device is usually composed of hydrofoil, mechanical structure and generator set, which can generate periodic oscillations.

The experimental sharing platform

The experimental test scheme

3. The energy harvesting mechanism and the optimization design of the oscillating hydrofoil

· Content validity

In this project, advanced fluid-structure coupling analysis is adopted to deeply analyze the energy harvesting mechanism of the oscillating hydrofoil. Based on this, a multi-parameter and multi-objective optimization design method is proposed, aiming to improve the energy harvesting /conversion efficiency and other diversified objectives by comprehensively considering the hydrofoil's geometry, oscillation frequency, amplitude and other key parameters. Through the use of advanced optimization algorithms, the design space is systematically explored to find the optimal solution set, which provides scientific basis and technical support for the performance improvement and customized design of oscillating hydrofoils in practical applications.

· Planning objectives

1. A multi-parameter, multi-objective optimization design method applicable to oscillating hydrofoils is proposed.

Optimization of design methods

INVITATIONS & MEMBERSHIP

We sincerely invite top research teams and outstanding scholars from all over the world and in all fields to join this project and explore the infinite possibilities of oscillating hydrofoil energy harvesting technology together.

Full membership:

Participates in project planning and tests, access of all test data results, and request of custom tests and results. Membership fees are determined based on the final number of participates. 

Limited membership:

Participates in project planning and limit access to the requested test results. Membership fees based on the number of requested results. 

Observers:

Participates in planning meetings and no access to experimental data and results. Free to participate with permission.