Measurements in the wake of an undulating membrane tidal energy converter

The tidal energy converter studied here is based on the fluid-structure interactions that occur between a flexible membrane and an axial flow, resulting in an undulating motion that can be used to harvest energy. Its wake is experimentally characterized from two-dimensional Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements. PIV is synchronized with a motion tracking system that gives information on trajectory and power conversion. Wake measurement gives access to velocity deficit, turbulence intensity and vorticity. Three configurations are tested in order to identify the influence of the main adjustment parameters.