Course content

The course will perform calculations of the energy potential in wind, waves and tide. Methods of measuring wind and water speeds and wave heights will be taught, for the calculation of area or site energy potential. Different technologies for wind-, water- and tidal power plants will be shown. The course consists of a large project concerning a specific technology within the field of water-, tidal- or wave energy. The project is individual or performed in groups.

Learning outcome

The course provides the student with knowledge about:
- Energy potential in the wind, tidal current and waves.
- The flow characteristics and turbulence in the wind and tidal current
- Wave theory.
- Wind and tidal turbines – basic designs and introduction to the main components.
- Wave power plants – design and components.
- Wind and tidal turbines; power- and thrust coefficients according to the Betz theorem.
- Actuator and Rotary Disc theory.
- Design of a turbine blade by using the Blade Element Momentum method.
The course gives the student insight about:
- Renewable energy potential in the world.
- Aerodynamics of an airfoil.
- Design loads for a wind- and tidal turbine.

Skills:
The course should enable the student to:
- Calculate the main dimensions of wind- and tidal turbines.
- Calculate the energy potential in wind, tidal current and waves.
- Calculate the energy produced from wind-, tidal- and wave power plant.

General competence:
The course should give the student:
- When the student has finished the course, he/she shall have knowledge about Wind turbines, Tidal turbines, and Wave energy devices.
- The student will be able to use this knowledge in projects where these machines are a part of a power plant.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures. Excercises, both with emphasis on experimental laboratory work, and theoretical problems. Mandatory excercises and project report will constitute 50% of the final grade. The lectures and exercises are in English when students who do not speak Norwegian take the course.

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic fluid mechanics.

Course materials

"Wind Energy Explained. Theory , Design and Application", Manwell, McGowan and Rogers, Wiley, 2002 ISBN 13:978-0-471-49972-5 (H/B)
Hand-outs from teachers.

Credit reductions