Optimized Hydrokinetic Systems

Ocean Renewable Power Company, Inc. (ORPC) is a global leader in marine renewable energy technology and a developer of eco-conscious projects that harness the power of oceans and rivers to create clean, predictable renewable energy. Since 2004, ORPC has made significant progress towards implementing high reliability systems that demonstrate innovative high reliability systems. To achieve the low cost of energy envisioned by this FOA, a major re-imagining of the ORPC technical approach is required, with emphasis on reducing effective mass of the systems, as well as improving extraction efficiency, while maintaining the high level of robustness and reliability already demonstrated. ORPC will identify design couplings between subsystems and components to optimize system mass and performance. The focus of this work will be the design of systems to be deployed in arrays, as commercial projects are expected to consist of multiple units and interactions between units are critical for performance and loading. Hydrodynamic testing of model-scale turbines will be performed to guide and validate the concepts. A larger-scale turbine will be constructed, with sensors embedded during manufacture to validate structural design. Open water testing and measurements of performance and loads will be performed by mounting the turbine in an open water test frame, based on the ORPC RivGen® Power system. Prognostic health monitoring and active load control approaches will be demonstrated. This work will support the ARPA-E mission of maintaining a US technology lead in the marine renewable energy industry and enhancing the economic and energy security interests of the US.