Self-powered Navigational Buoy for Oceanographic Monitoring
2023 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition

Background

Most of the existing ocean energy-powered observation and navigation stations nowadays are stationary, such as point absorber types. These devices not only have general concerns on long-term operation reliability and operation cost, but they also lack of ability to conduct missions that require mobility such as extreme climate chasing, relocation, and marine animal tracking. Thus, the team wants to use ocean energy technologies to fill this blanked area.

Innovation

• Use of BBDB based on OWC concept for powering navigational buoy.

• Controllable door in the forward part of the buoy for reduction of drag during locomotion and optimizing requisite propulsive efforts.

• Optimization of impulse turbine (PTO) using optimal Zweifel condition for blade solidity.

• Determination of optimal stage spacing for turbine using CFD analysis.

Approach

The impulse turbine was modelled using mixing plane approach for stage interfaces. Proof of concept was checked through the developed test bench prototype. The BBDB prototype is currently tested in towing tank.

Achievement

Drag reduction of up to 25% can be witnessed from the CFD results.

Turbine performance has been improved by reduction of secondary losses in the downstream guidevane and optimal blade loading.