Understanding the Complex Dynamic Interaction between Micro-Hydrokinetic Turbines and the Environment

Abstract:
Hydrokinetic energy systems provide a sustainable, low-impact pathway for extracting renewable power from rivers and tidal channels without the ecological disruption of conventional dam-based hydropower. Because these systems require minimal civil infrastructure and operate submerged at low hydraulic head, they are uniquely suited for deployment in remote, off-grid locations characterized by difficult access and a lack of centralized grid systems. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the coupled effects of flow heterogeneity and sediment transport on turbine power generation, as well as the reciprocal influence of rotor operation on sediment dynamics. In the first set of experiments, a horizontal-axis turbine was evaluated in a racetrack flume under vertical confinement and wake-induced shear across six electrical loads using acoustic Doppler velocimetry (ADV) alongside electrical power measurements. By reformulating effective velocity based on instantaneous three-dimensional kinetic energy flux with radial torque weighting, this approach captures dynamic turbulence effects and reduces electrical power prediction errors to below 8%. In the second set of experiments, a mobile sand bed was introduced alongside an optical backscatter sensor (OBS) and GoPro cameras. This configuration enables the assessment of suspended sediment effects on power generation, while tracking changes in suspended sediment concentration and bedform evolution across varying operational loads. Ultimately, this work delivers an integrated framework that significantly improves hydrokinetic power predictions by explicitly accounting for inflow velocity heterogeneity and two-way sediment transport interactions in shallow rivers.

Bio:
Juan-Martin Andrade is a Ph.D. candidate advised by Professor Rafael O. Tinoco in the WRES program within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research investigates the effects of microplastics on sediment suspension and transport, as well as the two-way interactions between hydrokinetic turbines and aquatic environments. He holds an M.S. from UIUC, a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Universidad Central del Ecuador, and has prior industry experience as a consulting engineer.