Dean Steinke, Dynamic Systems Analysis
The potential ongoing cost of cabling and moorings is a major risk for the nascent tidal energy sector. The sector is aware that cabling failures are documented to be the most significant insurance risk for the commercially-viable offshore wind industry. Floating tidal turbine developers have unanswered questions about the longevity of their power cables and moorings which are subject to turbulent tidal flows which can induce wear, corrosion, fatigue, and vortex induced vibration (VIV) distinct from offshore environments. DSA has begun a research project to address these gaps; the project has a focus on VIV in mooring lines and power cables. The webinar will discuss the development of the experiment and the complementary numerical modeling work. Initial findings on methods to predict and mitigate VIV at tidal sites will be shared. The project is led by DSA, with participation by tidal technology developers Scotrenewables and Tocardo Tidal Turbines.