(P97) Water Horse Galloping Energy Harvester Testing at the Tanana River Test Site in Alaska

The poster will present the results of field testing of a kW-scale Water Horse prototype at the Tanana River Test Site in Nenana, Alaska in July 2020. The Water Horse is a hydrokinetic device that harnesses energy from flowing water via the hydrodynamic gallop phenomenon. Oscillatory vortex shedding off a bluff body suspended transverse to the flow yields vortex-induced vibration (VIV). As oscillation amplitude increases, the fluid-solid interaction known as gallop is the motivating lift force. Poster will give overview of Tanana River Test Site. River velocity measurements via ADCP and analysis will be presented. Results of analysis Water Horse power output, efficiency, and dynamics of operation under different system configurations will be shared. Correlational relationships between spring rate, damping, and performance will be presented. The Water Horse imparted significant oscillations into the floating platform from which it was deployed, which appear to be detrimental to the performance of the system. The Water Horse achieved very low efficiencies compared to what is typical of axial- and cross-flow turbines. However, the Water Horse design is comparatively low cost and less susceptible to damage from floating debris. A second prototype is in the design phase that will feature two oscillators and will be tested in 2021.