1 · Tidal current
u(t) = [u₀ + 0.72 A cos(2πt/T)] · (0.38 + 0.62g)
u in m/s, tide amplitude A in m, period T in s, gate fraction g dimensionless. This is an illustrative prescribed current, not a site forecast.
2 · Available fluid power
P = ½ ρ (πR²) |u|³ Cₚ
ρ in kg/m³, rotor radius R in m, P in W. Blade pitch modifies an approximate power coefficient Cₚ. Electrical conversion is capped by the selected generator load.
3 · Rotor dynamics
I dω/dt = τwater − τgenerator − τbearing
ω in rad/s, torque in N·m, I in kg·m². A simplified lumped inertia represents the rotor and drivetrain.
4 · Floating platform
Fᵦ = ρgVdisplaced · mẍ = Fᵦ − mg + Fmoor − cẋ
Buoyancy follows Archimedes’ principle. The pontoon is a rigid rectangular float with linear mooring stiffness and damping.
5 · Energy store
ΔE = (Pgenerated − Paux) Δt / 3600
Energy is in kWh when power is in kW and time is in seconds. Battery capacity is fixed at 8 kWh.
Assumptions & known simplifications
Water is incompressible; the flow field is spatially uniform; turbulence, cavitation, blade wake, gearbox detail and structural fatigue are omitted. The rotor power curve and tidal forcing are approximate teaching models. Visual waves are atmospheric cues; the pontoon solver uses its own low-order wave forcing.
All geometry is procedural. Optional external GLB assets are disabled by empty URLs. <!--credits-->