A review of impulse turbines for wave energy conversion

Oscillating Water Column based wave energy plants convert wave energy into low pressure pnuematic power in the form of hi-directional air flows. Air t urbines which are capable of rotating uni-directionally in bi-directional a ir flow, otherwise also known as self-rectifying turbines, are used to extr act mechanical shaft power which is further converted into electrical power by a generator. This paper reviews the state of the art in self-rectifying impulse air turbines. New results on optimum parameters for the fixed-guid e-vane impulse turbine are also presented. Starting characteristics and con version efficiencies of two types of impulse turbines are compared with the well known Wells turbine. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.