Numerical simulation of cross-flow Savonius turbine for locations with low current velocity in Indonesia

The nonrenewable sources of electricity should be substituted to renewable energy. The ocean current energy is utilized using a turbine that can convert the kinetic energy of ocean currents into electrical energy. This study aims to find the cross-flow Savonius turbine suitable for applying in Indonesia waters with low current velocity. Firstly, the research methodology started with a literature review of several Indonesian locations that have low current velocities. Secondly, various Savonius turbine designs from the literature were evaluated to find the best suitable design to apply in Indonesia. Thirdly, a numerical approach using computational fluid dynamics simulation was conducted to investigate the performance of the cross-flow Savonius turbine with variations in the aspect ratio (AR) and overlap ratio (OR). This study obtained an increase in turbine coefficient of performance (CP) at a lower AR due to an increase in the moment coefficient produced by the turbine. The turbine CP was increased at a lower OR because of the decreased pressure and resistance. Therefore, the best turbine design with the largest CP is the turbine with AR specifications of 0.61 and OR 0.1. This design can produce CP of 0.32, 0.49, and 0.48 at current velocities of 0.3, 0.65, and 0.9 m/s.