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Abstract The Tanshui river is the second largest of the rivers in Taiwan, including three major tributaries, Da-han stream, Shin-dian stream and Keelung river. The large fresh water outflow induced strong stratification of the estuary and coastal region. In this region of fresh water influence (ROFI), the flow is dominated by barotrophic tide, with modification of density induced baroclinic flow. This research tries to explore the variations of vertical structure of tidal current. The causing of the changes will be discussed based on hydrodynamic parameters. Data used include a year long bmADCP records and sea level elevations. The sampling period is Septemper 24 of 2003 to July 12 of 2004. The sampling site is 4km offshore of river mouth. Additional data are winds, precipitation, solar radiation (from CWB) and river discharge (from RMO). The results of analysis show that (1) strong flow during spring may induce large tidal ellipse, while the ellipticity degenerates during neap. (2) Tidal ellipticity increases when large freshwater discharge which induced strong stratification at the surface 1~ 2 meters. (3) Wind is a minor factor of ellipticity, even during strong wind over 10 m/s. (4) Influence of solar radiation and seasonal variation of tidal ellipticity is insignificant. In summary, the analysis indicates that the vertical structure of tidal current is modified by (1) spring- neap tide (2) freshwater discharge and (3) winds. Especially, during spring tide with large river outflow, the tidal ellipticity increase significantly due to frictional effect and vertical stratification.

Tidal currents can be used as a predictable source of sustainable energy, and have the potential to make a useful contribution to the energy needs of the UK and other countries with such a resource. One of the technologies which may be used to transform tidal power into mechanical power is a vertical axis turbine, the hydrodynamic analysis of which this thesis is concerned with. The aim of this analysis is to gain a better understanding of the power transformation process, from which position there is the possibility of improving the conversion efficiency. A second aim is to compare the results from different modelling approaches. Two types of mathematical modelling are used: a basic blade element momentum model and a more complex Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) model. The former model has been programmed in Matlab by the present author while the latter model uses a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, ANSYS CFX. This RANS model uses the SST k-! turbulence model. The CFD analysis of hydrofoils (equally airfoils), for both fixed and oscillating pitch conditions, is a significant proportion of the present work. Such analysis is used as part of the verification and validation of the CFD model of the turbine. It is also used as input to the blade element momentum model, thereby permitting a novel comparison between the blade element momentum model and the CFD model of the turbine. Both types of turbine model were used to explore the variation in turbine efficiency (and other factors) with tip speed ratio and with and without an angle of attack limiting variable pitch strategy. It is shown that the use of such a variable pitch strategy both increases the peak efficiency and broadens the peak. The comparison of the results from the two different turbine modelling approaches shows that when the present CFD hydrofoil results are used as input to the blade element model, and when dynamic effects are small and the turbine induction factor is low, there is generally good agreement between the two models.

The increasing penetration of renewable energy in the power system grid makes it one of the most important topics in electricity generation, now and into the future. Tidal current energy is one of the most rapidly growing technologies for generating electric energy. Within that frame, tidal current energy is surging to the fore. Forecasting is the first step in dealing with future generations of the tidal current power systems. The doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) and the direct drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (DDPMSG) are the most commonly used generators associated with tidal current turbines. The aim of the present work is to propose a forecasting technique for tidal current speed and direction and to develop dedicated control strategies for the most commonly used generators, enabling the turbines to act as an active component in the power system. This thesis is divided into two parts. The first part proposes a hybrid model of an artificial neural network (ANN) and a Fourier series model based on the least squares method (FLSM) for monthly forecasting of tidal current speed magnitude and direction. The proposed hybrid model is highly accurate and outperforms both the ANN and the FLSM alone. The model is validated and shown to perform better than other models currently in use. This study was done using data collected from the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 2008. The second part of the thesis describes the overall dynamic models of the tidal current turbine driving either a DFIG or a DDPMSG connected to a single machine infinite bus system, including controllers used to improve system stability. Two models are tested and validated, and two proportional integral (PI) controllers are proposed for each machine to control the output power of the tidal current turbine. The controllers are tested using a small signal stability analysis method for the models, and prove the robustness of the tidal current turbine using two different types of generators over those without controllers. The controller gain ranges are also investigated to establish zones of stability. Overall results show the advantages of using a DDPMSG over a DFIG.

Channel constrictions in which strong currents are mainly driven by tidal processes represent sites with high potential for harvesting renewable and predictable tidal stream energy. Tidal Current Turbines (TCTs) deployed in arrays appear to be the most promising solution to efficiently capturing this carbon neutral energy resource. However to ensure the sustainable character of such projects, the balance between power extraction maximization and environmental impact minimization must be found so that device layout optimization takes into account environmental considerations. This is particularly appropriate since both resource and impact assessments go intrinsically hand in hand. The present method proposes the use and adaptation of ocean circulation models as an assessment tool framework for tidal current turbine (TCT) array-layout optimization. By adapting both momentum and turbulence transport equations of an existing model, the present TCT representation method is proposed to extend the actuator disc concept to 3-D large scale ocean circulation models. Through the reproduction of physical experiments to reasonable accuracy, grid and time dependency tests and an up-scaling exercise, this method has shown its numerical validity as well as its ability to simulate accurately both momentum and turbulent turbine-induced perturbations in the wake. These capabilities are demonstrated for standalone devices and device arrays, and are achieved with a relatively short period of computation time. Consequently the present TCT representation method is a very promising basis for the development of a TCT array layout optimization tool. By applying this TCT representation method to realistic cases, its capability is demonstrated for power capture assessment and prediction of hydrodynamic interactions as would be required during the layout deployment optimization process. Tidal energy has seen considerable development over the last decade and the first commercial deployments are likely to take place within the next 5 years. It is hoped that this new tool and the numerical approaches described herein will contribute to the development of TCT array power plants around the world.

Este estudo visa à descrição pontual do comportamento hidrodinâmico do estuário do Rio Mearim, analisando os padrões de corrente de maré, do registro de marés e das possíveis relações entre eles. Durante novembro e dezembro de 2012 um ADCP foi fundeado no canal do estuário, onde coletou dados por 31 dias. Os dados foram qualificados e processados para futura análise e inter-relações. Foi observado que a coluna de água estuarina no ponto de medição move-se como uma coluna de água homogênea com fluxo bidirecional no eixo NE-SW. As medições ocorreram no período de baixo índice de pluviosidade. O espectro de energia de velocidade de correntes indicou contribuições parciais dos harmônicos M2, M4, M6 e M8 no padrão de correntes encontrados. Defasagens no tempo entre os picos de máxima velocidade de corrente durante enchente e vazante mostraram a dominância do processo de maré vazante sobre a enchente no estuário. A análise integrada apresentada permitiu uma melhor compreensão no entendimento do comportamento das correntes forçadas pela maré, as chamadas correntes de maré, no estuário do Rio Mearim. / This study aim to describe the punctual hydrodynamic behavior of Mearim River estuary, analyzing the pattern of the tidal current, the tidal data and possible relationship between them. During 2012 november and december an ADCP was deployed in the estuary channel, where it collected data for 31 days. The data were qualified and processed for further analysis and inter-comparisons. It was observed the estuarine water column in the point of deployment moved as a homogeneous water column with bidirectional flux in axis NE-SW. The deployment was made in a period of low pluviosity index. The energy spectrum of current velocity indicated partial contribution of harmonics M2, M4, M6 e M8 in the current pattern found. Delays between the maximum velocity during flood and ebb conditions, showed the dominance of the edd process over the flood in the estuary. An analysis integrated presented on this paper allowed a better understanding of the behavior of the current forced by tides, called the tidal current in the Mearim River estuary.

In order to better understand the flow dynamics of the Kaoping Submarine Canyon (KSC), this study conducted a series of field experiments to monitor the current, temperature, salinity and tide near the KSC by using shipboard ADCP, CTD and moorings of RCM-8 and workhorse ADCP. Three cruises of Sb-ADCP and CTD have been carried out in September and December of 1999 and May 2000, each lasting two days, while mooring experiment was conducted in June and July, 2000. Least-square fit was applied to the time series Sb-ADCP data of each grid to derive the amplitude and phase of M2 tidal current and the residual flow in the KSC. Our results revealed that a string baroclinic flow field was present in the KSC. Tidal ellipse of the bottom current is dominated by M2 component, with higher M2 percentage in deeper layers. The major axis of the tidal ellipse is parallel to the direction of the canyon axis. In floods, the bottom layer flows down-canyon and the surface layer flows southeastward along the coastline. In ebbs, the situation is reversed. Variations of the temperature and salinity in the bottom layer also exhibit periodic oscillation of the M2 frequency. Daily temperature fluctuation in summer can reach 8 oC, indicating the existence of internal tide in the KSC. The surface residual current flows toward the south east in September and May, with a maximum speed of approximately 30 and 50 cm/s, respectively; the result is probably due to the bifurcation of the summer monsoon flows by the southwestern coastline of Taiwan. In December the surface residual current is northwestward, the maximum speed can reach 80 cm/s. Such a northward mean flow is probably originated from branching of the Kuroshio through Bashi Channel in the winter monsoon season. To summarize, mechanisms for the upwelling event in the KSC consist of surface flow direction, tidal range, and the stratification. The upwelling event occurs more often in the KSC between May and September with the surface mean current flows southeastward or left-bounded. In December when the surface mean current flows northwestward or right-bounded, the upwelling event is rare. An eddy structure of 7 ~ 9 km length scale was observed north of Liu-Chiu Yu, a result possibly produced by Karman vortex street for strong geophysical flows behind an island.

This study aims to better understand the characteristics of the tidal- current profiles and the near-bed boundary layer structures off the southwestern coast of Taiwan. The velocity profile is measured by a bottom-mounted ADCP. Six experiments were conducted, each lasted 10~20 days and the water depth ranging 12~18 m. Twenty-minute averaged velocity profiles have been fitted to a logarithmic form with 4% accuracy. The friction velocity (u*) and roughness length (z0) are then derived from the slope and intercept of the best-fitted straight lines. Our results show that the profile shape and friction velocity vary tidally, the latter reaches O(0.06)ms-1 during peak current flow. The magnitude of z0 is large and scattered, but it shows a general trend of decrease with increasing flow speed. The observed log-layer height increases, and the bottom drag coefficient (CD) decrease, respectively with increasing flow speed. Measurements also show that water turbidity increases with rainfall, as a result the z0 and CD also increase. Finally, harmonic analysis of the tidal currents indicate significant changes between winter (homogeneous) and summer (stratified) conditions. In winter the vertical variation of orientation and phase is small, whereas in summer there was a 150 orientation and 250 phase difference (the bottom currents lead the surface currents) between the near surface and near bed regions.

In order to better understand the flow dynamics of the Kaoping Submarine Canyon (KSC), this study conducted a series of field experiments to monitor the current, temperature, salinity and tide near the KSC by using shipboard ADCP, CTD and moorings of RCM-8 and workhorse ADCP. Three cruises of Sb-ADCP and CTD have been carried out in September and December of 1999 and May 2000, each lasting two days, while mooring experiment was conducted in June and July, 2000. Least-square fit was applied to the time series Sb-ADCP data of each grid to derive the amplitude and phase of M2 tidal current and the residual flow in the KSC. Our results revealed that a string baroclinic flow field was present in the KSC. Tidal ellipse of the bottom current is dominated by M2 component, with higher M2 percentage in deeper layers. The major axis of the tidal ellipse is parallel to the direction of the canyon axis. In floods, the bottom layer flows down-canyon and the surface layer flows southeastward along the coastline. In ebbs, the situation is reversed. Variations of the temperature and salinity in the bottom layer also exhibit periodic oscillation of the M2 frequency. Daily temperature fluctuation in summer can reach 8 oC, indicating the existence of internal tide in the KSC. The surface residual current flows toward the south east in September and May, with a maximum speed of approximately 30 and 50 cm/s, respectively; the result is probably due to the bifurcation of the summer monsoon flows by the southwestern coastline of Taiwan. In December the surface residual current is northwestward, the maximum speed can reach 80 cm/s. Such a northward mean flow is probably originated from branching of the Kuroshio through Bashi Channel in the winter monsoon season. To summarize, mechanisms for the upwelling event in the KSC consist of surface flow direction, tidal range, and the stratification. The upwelling event occurs more often in the KSC between May and September with the surface mean current flows southeastward or left-bounded. In December when the surface mean current flows northwestward or right-bounded, the upwelling event is rare. An eddy structure of 7 ~ 9 km length scale was observed north of Liu-Chiu Yu, a result possibly produced by Karman vortex street for strong geophysical flows behind an island.

Este estudo visa à descrição pontual do comportamento hidrodinâmico do estuário do Rio Mearim, analisando os padrões de corrente de maré, do registro de marés e das possíveis relações entre eles. Durante novembro e dezembro de 2012 um ADCP foi fundeado no canal do estuário, onde coletou dados por 31 dias. Os dados foram qualificados e processados para futura análise e inter-relações. Foi observado que a coluna de água estuarina no ponto de medição move-se como uma coluna de água homogênea com fluxo bidirecional no eixo NE-SW. As medições ocorreram no período de baixo índice de pluviosidade. O espectro de energia de velocidade de correntes indicou contribuições parciais dos harmônicos M2, M4, M6 e M8 no padrão de correntes encontrados. Defasagens no tempo entre os picos de máxima velocidade de corrente durante enchente e vazante mostraram a dominância do processo de maré vazante sobre a enchente no estuário. A análise integrada apresentada permitiu uma melhor compreensão no entendimento do comportamento das correntes forçadas pela maré, as chamadas correntes de maré, no estuário do Rio Mearim. / This study aim to describe the punctual hydrodynamic behavior of Mearim River estuary, analyzing the pattern of the tidal current, the tidal data and possible relationship between them. During 2012 november and december an ADCP was deployed in the estuary channel, where it collected data for 31 days. The data were qualified and processed for further analysis and inter-comparisons. It was observed the estuarine water column in the point of deployment moved as a homogeneous water column with bidirectional flux in axis NE-SW. The deployment was made in a period of low pluviosity index. The energy spectrum of current velocity indicated partial contribution of harmonics M2, M4, M6 e M8 in the current pattern found. Delays between the maximum velocity during flood and ebb conditions, showed the dominance of the edd process over the flood in the estuary. An analysis integrated presented on this paper allowed a better understanding of the behavior of the current forced by tides, called the tidal current in the Mearim River estuary.