Experimental study on the energy harvesting performance of semi-active oscillating hydrofoils

Guanghua He; Lingwei Bu; Hao Yang; Changhao Yang; Hassan Ghassemi

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2026.140214

Experimental study on the energy harvesting performance of semi-active oscillating hydrofoils

Guanghua He^*
, Lingwei Bu
, Hao Yang
, Changhao Yang
, Hassan Ghassemi

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Ocean Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Weihai
School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology
Amirkabir University of Technology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This study designed a semi-active oscillating hydrofoil tidal energy harvesting device, and conducted systematic hydrodynamic experiments to investigate the impact of reduced frequency (f∗), pitch angle (θ₀), aspect ratio (AR), damping coefficient (C_f) on energy conversion efficiency. Lift, pitching moment, and heave kinematics were measured to compute power coefficients and overall efficiency. A sectional correction was applied to account for vertical flow non-uniformity in the test section. Within the explored ranges, an efficiency peak was observed near f∗ ≈ 0.12–0.14 and θ₀ ≈ 70°; after correction, higher AR (e.g., AR = 8) tended to be associated with larger efficiencies, and an intermediate damping level (C_f ≈ 1.15) coincided with comparatively higher values. This study provides experimental evidence and theoretical guidance for optimizing the design of oscillating hydrofoil tidal energy systems.

Original language	English
Article number	140214
Journal	Energy
Volume	346
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2026.140214
State	Published - 1 Mar 2026
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

Aspect ratio
Energy harvesting efficiency
Experimental study
Flow correction
Oscillating hydrofoil
Semi-active motion

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10.1016/j.energy.2026.140214

Cite this

@article{36d2117033e6431abfa69773bd76c7ce,

title = "Experimental study on the energy harvesting performance of semi-active oscillating hydrofoils",

abstract = "This study designed a semi-active oscillating hydrofoil tidal energy harvesting device, and conducted systematic hydrodynamic experiments to investigate the impact of reduced frequency (f∗), pitch angle (θ0), aspect ratio (AR), damping coefficient (Cf) on energy conversion efficiency. Lift, pitching moment, and heave kinematics were measured to compute power coefficients and overall efficiency. A sectional correction was applied to account for vertical flow non-uniformity in the test section. Within the explored ranges, an efficiency peak was observed near f∗ ≈ 0.12–0.14 and θ0 ≈ 70°; after correction, higher AR (e.g., AR = 8) tended to be associated with larger efficiencies, and an intermediate damping level (Cf ≈ 1.15) coincided with comparatively higher values. This study provides experimental evidence and theoretical guidance for optimizing the design of oscillating hydrofoil tidal energy systems.",

keywords = "Aspect ratio, Energy harvesting efficiency, Experimental study, Flow correction, Oscillating hydrofoil, Semi-active motion",

author = "Guanghua He and Lingwei Bu and Hao Yang and Changhao Yang and Hassan Ghassemi",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 Elsevier Ltd",

year = "2026",

month = mar,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.energy.2026.140214",

language = "英语",

volume = "346",

journal = "Energy",

issn = "0360-5442",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Experimental study on the energy harvesting performance of semi-active oscillating hydrofoils

AU - He, Guanghua

AU - Bu, Lingwei

AU - Yang, Hao

AU - Yang, Changhao

AU - Ghassemi, Hassan

PY - 2026/3/1

Y1 - 2026/3/1

N2 - This study designed a semi-active oscillating hydrofoil tidal energy harvesting device, and conducted systematic hydrodynamic experiments to investigate the impact of reduced frequency (f∗), pitch angle (θ0), aspect ratio (AR), damping coefficient (Cf) on energy conversion efficiency. Lift, pitching moment, and heave kinematics were measured to compute power coefficients and overall efficiency. A sectional correction was applied to account for vertical flow non-uniformity in the test section. Within the explored ranges, an efficiency peak was observed near f∗ ≈ 0.12–0.14 and θ0 ≈ 70°; after correction, higher AR (e.g., AR = 8) tended to be associated with larger efficiencies, and an intermediate damping level (Cf ≈ 1.15) coincided with comparatively higher values. This study provides experimental evidence and theoretical guidance for optimizing the design of oscillating hydrofoil tidal energy systems.

AB - This study designed a semi-active oscillating hydrofoil tidal energy harvesting device, and conducted systematic hydrodynamic experiments to investigate the impact of reduced frequency (f∗), pitch angle (θ0), aspect ratio (AR), damping coefficient (Cf) on energy conversion efficiency. Lift, pitching moment, and heave kinematics were measured to compute power coefficients and overall efficiency. A sectional correction was applied to account for vertical flow non-uniformity in the test section. Within the explored ranges, an efficiency peak was observed near f∗ ≈ 0.12–0.14 and θ0 ≈ 70°; after correction, higher AR (e.g., AR = 8) tended to be associated with larger efficiencies, and an intermediate damping level (Cf ≈ 1.15) coincided with comparatively higher values. This study provides experimental evidence and theoretical guidance for optimizing the design of oscillating hydrofoil tidal energy systems.

KW - Aspect ratio

KW - Energy harvesting efficiency

KW - Experimental study

KW - Flow correction

KW - Oscillating hydrofoil

KW - Semi-active motion

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105029057955

U2 - 10.1016/j.energy.2026.140214

DO - 10.1016/j.energy.2026.140214

M3 - 文章

AN - SCOPUS:105029057955

SN - 0360-5442

VL - 346

JO - Energy

JF - Energy

M1 - 140214

ER -

Experimental study on the energy harvesting performance of semi-active oscillating hydrofoils

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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