Design charts for impulse turbine wave energy extraction using experimental data

This study presents newly developed charts to aid in early design of impulse turbine for wave energy extraction. These charts, based on the available experimental data, represent a simple approach to the performance evaluation of the turbine. The novel approach is applied in a case study that considers the optimum diameter design selection of next-generation impulse turbine power take-off. This allowed the selection of the correct impulse turbine sizing for a required rated power. The result is consistent for such an application, where the optimum rotor diameter would be 1.6 m for a maximum rated power of 400 kW. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.