BLIND CHANNEL

PROJECT

The Blind Channel Tidal Energy Demonstration Centre in British Columbia aims to integrate Tidal Energy Converters (TECs) into community-scale renewable energy systems. Tidal energy harnesses predictable currents and has shown promise since the 1970s. Mavi Innovations deployed a 25 kW TEC at Blind Channel in 2017 and operated for several months, and now with the support of PRIMED, they plan to re-develop it into a regional test center. The project will demonstrate a hybrid renewable energy system using tidal, solar, and diesel power, promoting the transition from diesel to renewable sources for coastal communities.

THE SITE

A MAP OF THE SITE

THE TECHNOLOGY

PRIMED Research

behind the scenes

Blake Holowaty

What is this?

“This is a model of a catamaran style floating tidal energy platform which will be used in Blind Channel to support a vertical axis turbine”

What research did you work on?

“I worked on the layout of the electrical cabinets, initial debris deflector analysis (i.e, weight, volume, and buoyancy calculations), mooring line design, and hydrodynamic response simulations of the platform and mooring assembly.”

Why this design?

“The circular crossbeam that spans the width of the platform is key to accommodate vertical axis turbines. The intention is that the crossbeam mounting bracket can be used interchangeably for turbine developers seeking power output validation of their turbine design.”

Why this design?

“Typically, standard all chain moorings scour the seabed. However this new design aims to reduce seabed contact from the mooring, to minimize potential environmental impacts on the sediment, invertebrates, and other marine life.“

Rezvan Rakhshan

What is this?

“This first model is a side-view animation of velocity contours from an unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation of the New Energy vertical axis turbine, which is being developed for the Blind Channel Project.”

What research did you work on?

“I conducted unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of the tidal turbine to validate its performance and extract key parameters such as power output, torque, thrust, and lateral forces. These results support the development of the tidal platform design and inform control strategies.”

Why this design?

“The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation provides the power coefficient versus tip-speed ratio (CP–TSR) curve, which is used by the microgrid’s energy management system for power dispatch and load balancing. It also supplies thrust and lateral force data which are essential for designing the turbine platform.” 

What is this?

“This second model is an animation of deformation contours from Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations under various load cases, showing the crossbeam where the tidal turbine will be mounted.”

What research did you work on?

“I performed static and fatigue analysis on the turbine mounting bracket attached to the crossbeam. The bracket geometry was iteratively refined to withstand variable loads from the turbine, waves, and currents.”

Why this design?

“The analysis ensures the mounting bracket can safely withstand operational loads from the turbine, waves, and currents. Geometry refinements were made to meet structural strength and fatigue durability requirements.”

Project Partners