Weeks 1-5

Literature Review

Met with Gary Connor to gain his input into possible project directions

Decided to concentrate on MCT technology as this was the most viable form of technology currently

Looked at economic study with focus on learning curves for new technologies

On reflection and consultation with Dr. Grant the group decided this was too economic-based.

Opted for a more technical Stance

Looked at device spacing, however much had been done on this

Channel blockage effects, however, had not been looked at in depth

Week 6

Finalised project topic to be “Commercialisation of Marine Renewables”

Decided to investigate challenges and barriers to growing a marine renewable industry in Scotland/ UK.

Week 7

Developed our channel model approach with use of CFD to compliment

A financial spreadsheet was also proposed to look at the economic barriers

Week 8-9

Made rapid progress on the channel, CFD and financial models.

Channel model: Site selection was limited to what information was available on tide heights and times from the Admiralty spreadsheets. It was decided to concentrate on 2 channels: the Pentland Firth and Kyle Rhea. Developed from Bernouilli’s equations, the theoretical flow velocity in an idealised open channel situation, arising from the head difference of two large and independent reservoirs. Extended this to include frictional losses from channel and then further to include a value for losses due to blockage.

CFD model: Developed grid mesh in Gambit for 5 unit MCT array. Imported this into Fluent and executed for k-epsilon turbulence model. Results were analysed for velocity and pressure contours.

Financial model: Developed a power take-off model and used to calculated cost per unit energy output. Costings based on MCT Ltd project costs and developed to account for the flow velocities of our 2 chosen channels: Pentland Firth and Kyle Rhea. The model was constructed to allow the number of turbines in the channel to be varied, thus providing an insight into power drop off as no. of turbines (or solidity) increases.

Week 10

Calculated KL values for both channels and analysed the effects of increasing KT values on the overall flow velocity and power take-off. Arrived at “knee-point” curves representing apparent power drop off as KT increases. Consulted Dr. Grant on these results.

Week 11

Validated all models and drew results and conclusions for final presentation.

Week 12

Prepared for final presentation on 28/04. Finished website, including all models, results, conclusions and policy recommendations.