Multipole optimization of turbine arrays in tidal flows

This paper proposes a multipole optimization as introduced by Holl et al. (2016) for the requirement-based dimensioning of a turbine fence considering technical and economical scaling functions. The considered fence of N stream generators with characteristic size d(T) is situated in a generic tidal channel with typical flow state. The system is formulated by the energy, mass and cash flows through which the components (turbine, generator, tower/ foundation and grid connection) communicate with each other and the tidal system. It is shown, that the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) can be reduced above all by increasing the channel blockage, i.e. by using more or larger turbines.