A method, and system for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow in a channel

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow in a channel, the system (200) comprising at least one turbine arrangement (100) and a control unit (210). Each turbine arrangement (100) comprises a turbine arrangement body (110), at least one turbine (120), and turbine moving means (130). The system (200) comprises at least two separate turbines (120). Each turbine (120) is attached to the corresponding turbine arrangement body (110), and is arranged to separately be moved to a plurality of positions (112) by the turbine moving means (130). Each turbine (120) is arranged to be in said fluid flow and arranged to harvest energy from fluid flow (160). The control unit (210) comprises a computer (211) arranged to receive, for each turbine (120), turbine data comprising values indicative of the amount of harvested energy by said turbine and its position (112); determine a target position (112) for each turbine (120) based on said received turbine data; and control turbine moving means (130) to arrange the turbines (120) based on the corresponding determined target positions (112).

Description

[0001] A method, and system for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow in a channel

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to fluid flow calculations, harvesting kinetic energy, and positioning turbines in a fluid flow.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Harvesting kinetic energy from flowing fluid has long been an attractive source of energy. For flowing fluid in the form of water that moves along rivers towards lower ground there has been solutions developed to extract energy ranging from simple water wheels to modern hydroelectric power plants.

[0006] Hydroelectric power plants use turbines connected to generators to convert kinetic energy of flowing water into electricity. Additional downstream turbines are sometimes utilized in hydroelectric power plants to harvest additional energy from the flowing water after passing the primary turbines. These downstream turbines are typically smaller than the primary turbines and are designed to capture energy from the water that is still moving downstream. In bodies of water downstream of hydroelectric power plants, or other facilities releasing or diverting a fluid flow, smaller turbines may be arranged to produce electricity.

[0007] There is a need to improve the ability to harvest kinetic energy from flowing fluid, such as flowing water in channels downstream of hydroelectric power plants.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Typically, flowing fluid in channels downstream of facilities, such as a water flow downstream of a hydroelectric power plants operating in a finite number of modes, provide a more consistent flow with reoccurring flow patterns compared to fluid movement in open water or natural rivers. The invention relates to determining the positioning of a plurality of energy harvesting turbines in regions of flowing water downstream of facilities and / or natural formations.

[0010] One object of the invention is to determine a set of positions for turbines in a fluid flow that would maximize the total kinetic energy harvesting by the turbines. This has in accordance with the present disclosure been achieved by means of a system for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow in a channel. The system comprising at least one turbine arrangements and a control unit. Each turbine arrangement is connected to the control unit, and comprises a turbine arrangement body, at least one turbine, and turbine moving means. The system comprises at least two separate turbines comprised in said turbine arrangement(s). Each turbine arrangement body is arranged to be in the fluid flow and / or at the channel for said fluid flow. Each turbine is attached to the corresponding turbine arrangement body, and is arranged to separately be moved to a plurality of positions by the turbine moving means. Each turbine is arranged to be in said fluid flow and arranged to harvest kinetic energy from said fluid flow.

[0011] The control unit comprises a computer arranged to

[0012] - receive, for each turbine, turbine data comprising values indicative of the amount of harvested kinetic energy by said turbine and the position of the turbine,

[0013] - determine a target position for each turbine based on said received turbine data, and

[0014] - control the corresponding turbine moving means to arrange the turbines based on the corresponding determined target position.

[0015] This has the advantage of allowing all turbine positions to be determined simultaneously. This further allows an improved optimization of the total harvested kinetic energy compared to sequentially optimizing one turbine at a time.

[0016] In some embodiments, determining the target position for each turbine based on said received turbine data, comprises calculating fluid flow in the channel and optimizing the position of a plurality of the at least two turbines based on maximizing the total amount of harvested kinetic energy by said at least two turbines for said calculated fluid flow.

[0017] This has the advantage of allowing the system to calculate the fluid flow in the channel and how a plurality of turbines impact said fluid flow, thus allowing for a simultaneous determination of target turbine positions. This further has the advantage of allowing an upstream turbine to be positioned so as to improve the energy harvesting of a downstream turbine, such that the total energy harvesting is increased.

[0018] In some embodiments, the computer is arranged to receive channel geometry data indicative of at least part of the geometry of said channel at said system, and wherein determine the target position for each turbine is further based on said received channel geometry data. In some embodiments, the computer is arranged to receive fluid flow data comprising a set of values indicative of total fluid flow in said channel, and wherein determine the target position for each turbine if further based on said received fluid flow data.

[0019] This has the advantage of allowing all turbine positions to be determined with increased accuracy. This further has the advantage of allowing the computer to more readily detect the state of fluid flow in the channel.

[0020] In some embodiments, the control unit comprises a memory storage arranged to store and retrieve channel geometry data, turbine data, fluid flow data, calculated fluid flow in the channel, and / or determined target positions for turbines.

[0021] In some embodiments, wherein the computer is arranged to store a set of determined turbine positions corresponding to a set of values indicative of total fluid flow in said channel in the memory storage, and to, upon receive fluid flow data indicative of a total fluid flow matching any total fluid flow associated with the stored set of determined turbine positions, retrieve and utilize said stored set of turbine positions to determine the target position for each turbine.

[0022] This has the advantage of allowing the system to store previous turbine positions and move the turbines to said stored previous turbine positions. This further has the advantage of allowing the computer to utilize said stored previous turbine positions when determining target position for each turbine, such as an initial configuration during an optimization.

[0023] In some embodiments, determining the target position for each turbine based on said received turbine data, is further based on one or more predetermined fluid flow profiles comprised in the memory storage, wherein each fluid flow profile describes fluid flow in the channel at said system under a different flow condition.

[0024] This has the advantage of allowing the system to utilize predetermined fluid flow profiles to determine the target position for each turbine with reduced computational load. This further has the advantage of allowing the computer to calculate the fluid flow in the channel with the predetermined fluid flow profiles as an initial condition.

[0025] In some embodiments, the computer is arranged to store calculated fluid flow in the channel as fluid flow profiles in the memory storage, and determining the target position for each turbine based on any stored fluid flow profiles.

[0026] This has the advantage of allowing the system to learn new fluid flow profiles and utilize them to determine the target position for each turbine. This further has the advantage of allowing the system to retrieve a fluid flow profile matching the received fluid flow data, such as retrieving a stored fluid flow profile corresponding to the current operational state of an upstream hydropower plant.

[0027] In some embodiments, the computer is arranged to

[0028] - determine an expected power generation value indicative of an expected amount of harvested kinetic energy per unit time by said turbines,

[0029] - calculate a current power generation value indicative of the current amount of harvested kinetic energy per unit time by said turbines, and

[0030] - upon the difference between the expected power generation value and current power generation value fulfilling at least one criterion, receive turbine data and determine the target position for each turbine.

[0031] This has the advantage of allowing the system to detect if the system is in a desirable state and if not then determining new turbine positions, by for example iteratively performing the steps required to determine a target position for each turbine.

[0032] In some embodiments, the system comprises at least one flow sensor arranged to measure fluid flow in the channel, wherein said measured fluid flow is comprised in said fluid flow data, and / or wherein the system comprises at least one camera arranged to capture images of the fluid flow in the channel, wherein said captured images are comprised in said fluid flow data.

[0033] This has the advantage of allowing the system to improve received fluid flow data, thus allowing a better calculation or simulation of the fluid flow in the channel. This further has the advantage of allowing the system to determine the operational mode of any upstream arrangements, such as a hydropower plant, and determine target turbine positions accordingly.

[0034] In some embodiments, the system comprises turbine monitoring means arranged to determine the performance of each turbine, wherein turbine data further comprises said turbine performance.

[0035] This has the advantage of allowing the system to monitor the state of turbines and if damages to any turbines has occurred. This further has the advantage of allowing the system to compensate for a reduced ability to harvest kinetic energy when comparing an expected and actual total amount of harvested kinetic energy.

[0036] In some embodiments, the system comprises water depth measuring means arranged to determine the water depth at at least part of the channel, wherein fluid flow data further comprises said determined water depth. This has the advantage of allowing the system to more accurately calculate fluid flow, and thus to more accurately position turbines and estimate their expected amount of harvested kinetic energy.

[0037] The present disclosure further relates to a computer method for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow in a channel, wherein at least two turbines are comprised in at least one turbine arrangement, wherein each turbine is arranged to be moved between a plurality of positions by turbine moving means, and wherein each turbine is arranged to harvest kinetic energy from said fluid flow.

[0038] The method comprises,

[0039] - determining, for each turbine, turbine data comprising values indicative of the amount of harvested kinetic energy by said turbine and the position of the turbine,

[0040] - determining a target position for each turbine based on turbine data, and

[0041] - controlling turbine moving means to move each turbine based on the corresponding determined target position.

[0042] The present disclosure further relates to a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having thereon a computer program comprising program instructions, the computer program being loadable into a processor and configured to cause the processor to perform the method for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow according to the independent method claim.

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Fig. la-c show an example turbine arrangement with a movable turbine.

[0045] Fig. 2 depicts schematically a system for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow.

[0046] Fig. 3 depicts schematically a method for a turbine arrangement.

[0047] Fig. 4 depicts schematically a method for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow.

[0048] Fig. 5 depicts schematically a scenario of arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow.

[0049] Fig. 6 depicts an example turbine arrangement with a movable turbine arrangement body.

[0050] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The invention herein will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

[0052] Throughout the figures, same reference numerals refer to same parts, concepts, and / or elements. Consequently, what will be said regarding a reference numeral in one figure applies equally well to the same reference numeral in other figures unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0053] Terms and Expressions

[0054] The term channel relates to the constructed structure and / or natural formation in which the fluid flows. Herein the term channel is used broadly to include natural channels, such as rivers, artificial channels, such as drainage channels, and mixtures thereof, such as a body of water receiving water from an outlet of a hydroelectric power plant.

[0055] The term channel geometry data relates to information describing the geometry of the channel the flowing fluid is moving through. Typically, the part of the channel where the turbines are arranged and the part upstream are the most impactful for the simulating or calculating fluid flow at the turbines. Typically, the channel geometry data comprises information suitable for defining boundary conditions for a simulation of fluid flow in the channel.

[0056] The term turbine data relates to information describing the operation of the turbines. Turbine data for a turbine comprises the turbine position and values indicative of amount of harvested kinetic energy. The turbine position may be expressed in a local coordinate system, such as relative to the channel or the turbine arrangement body.

[0057] The expression "amount of harvested kinetic energy by a turbine" relates to the ability of the turbine to extract energy from flowing fluid. Typically, the turbine is connected to a generator arranged to convert movement to electricity. When a generator is used the amount of harvested kinetic energy may be seen as the amount of generated electricity. Typically, a goal is to maximize the total amount of harvested kinetic energy by all turbines used.

[0058] The term fluid flow data relates to information that directly or indirectly describes the fluid flow in the channel. Fluid flow data at least comprises values indicative of total fluid flow in said channel. Fluid flow data may comprise received information describing current or planned operation of a facility upstream that impacts the fluid flow in the channel, such as the operation of a hydro power plant.

[0059] The term fluid flow relates to the physical movement of fluid flowing in the channel. Typically, a model or simulation of the fluid flow may be calculated based on direct and / or indirect information relating to the fluid flow in the channel. The expression "fluid flow at a turbine" typically relates to the fluid flow in the region comprising all the positions that the turbine may be moved to.

[0060] The term total fluid flow relates to a value indicative of the total amount of fluid flowing through the channel per unit time. Typically, values indicative of total fluid flow are received from external systems or estimated based on sensor measurements and / or stored information.

[0061] The term target position relates to a determined position for a turbine when arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow. Typically, moving turbines to their newly determined target positions is expected to increase the total amount of amount of harvested kinetic energy by said turbines.

[0062] The term upstream facility relates to any structure which operation may have an impact on the fluid flow in the channel at the turbines. The upstream facility may be a hydro power plant, or another facility that adds fluid or restricts the flow of fluid to the channel.

[0063] The term state of fluid flow relates to a certain fluid flow through the channel. For example, if an upstream facility operates in a limited number of modes that govern the fluid flow in the channel then each mode may result in a state of fluid flow. Typically, the state of fluid flow relates to the fluid flow that enters the channel sector comprising said turbines, that is to say that the state of fluid flow is not dependent on the current positioning of turbines.

[0064] The term fluid flow profile relates to a calculated simulation of fluid flow in the channel. Typically, a fluid flow profile comprises values indicative of fluid flow entering the sector of the channel comprising turbines, such that fluid flow profiles may be matched independent of turbine positions. Typically, a fluid flow profile also comprises additional information associated with the calculated fluid flow, such as a set of determined target positions for turbines, or corresponding fluid flow data. Typically, fluid flow profiles are stored and retrieved in order to decrease the computational cost by utilizing a previously calculated fluid flow. Typically, fluid flow profiles comprise values indicative of calculated simulation of fluid flow in the channel, at least in the part of the channel between the most upstream and most downstream turbine.

[0065] The term performance of a turbine relates to if a turbine's ability to harvest kinetic energy from fluid flow is nominal or decreased. The term performance relates to how well the turbine is able to harvest kinetic energy compared to a fully functioning turbine. Typically, the decreases in ability to harvest kinetic energy relates to damages to the turbine or the turbine being obstructed by debris. Typically, a reduced performance of a turbine may be used in order to more accurately estimate the expected amount of harvested kinetic energy by the turbine, so as to avoid interpreting a below expected harvesting of kinetic energy due to performance to be due to an unfavourable positioning. Fig. la-c illustrates an example turbine arrangement 100 configured to harvest the kinetic energy of flowing fluid. The shown turbine arrangement 100 is designed to be submerged under water. The example turbine arrangement 100 comprises a turbine arrangement body 110 with a path 111, and a turbine 120 arranged in said path 111. In fig. la said turbine 120 is omitted. Fig. la-b show top-down views of a turbine arrangement 100 arranged flat on the bottom of a channel, wherein the turbine 120 protrudes upwards. Fig. lc shows a side-view of the turbine arrangement 100.

[0066] In fig. la the path 111 of the turbine arrangement body 110 forms a cross with four arms extending from an intersection 113, and nine positioning points 112 are shown along the path. Fig. lb shows an example of the turbine arrangement 100 as described in fig. la with at a turbine 120 attached to the path 111. The turbine 120 may be positioned at any of the positioning points 112. Fig. lb illustrates the incoming direction of a flowing fluid 160 moving past the turbine arrangement 100.

[0067] Fig. la shows the turbine arrangement body 110 footprint having a square shape. In some examples, turbine arrangement body 110 footprint has a rectangular, hexagonal, round, oval or other shape. In the example turbine arrangement body 110, the path 111 defines where on the turbine arrangement body 110 a turbine 120 may be positioned. In some examples, the turbine arrangement 100 is arranged to position the turbine 120 freely on a side of the turbine arrangement body 110. In fig. la, the path 111 forms a cross at the centre of the turbine arrangement body. However, the path 111 could be of other designs to cover other parts of a turbine arrangement body 110. In some examples, the path 111 covers all the outermost parts of the turbine arrangement body 110, such as the perimeter of the turbine arrangement body 110 as seen from above. In another example the path 111 in itself is movable in reference to the turbine arrangement body 110, such as a path 111 comprising movable rails for the turbine 120 to move along. The path 110 may be a track for the turbine 120 to move along.

[0068] Fig. lb shows the turbine arrangement 100 described in fig. la with a turbine 120 positioned on one of the positions 112 and further illustrates the flow fluid 160 moving past the turbine arrangement 100. Typically, each turbine 120 at the turbine arrangement body is configured to transform kinetic energy from the fluid flow into electrical energy utilizing a generator (not shown). In one configuration the turbine 120 is placed as depicted, and in another configuration the turbine 120 is placed as depicted by the dashed lines. Fig. lb indicates that the turbine 120 can be positioned in any of the nine positions 112 over the path 111 on the turbine arrangement body 110. In some examples, the turbine 120 is able to be positioned anywhere along the path 111 on the turbine arrangement body 110, such as by a chain or a belt. In some examples, the path 111 has no intersection 113 and the path 111 instead forms a line or a loop. In some examples, the path comprises at least one intersection 113. In some examples, one or more turbines 120 are mounted onto one turbine arrangement body 110. In some examples, the turbine arrangement body 110 comprises two or more paths 111 each arranged to guide at least one turbine 120.

[0069] The turbine arrangement 100 comprises turbine moving means (not shown) arranged to move the turbine to a plurality of positions 112 at the turbine arrangement body 110. In some examples, the turbine 120 comprises said turbine moving means. In some examples, turbine arrangement body 110 comprises said turbine moving means. In some examples, said turbine moving means are comprised in the turbine arrangement body 110 and the turbine 120. In some examples, the turbine moving means are arranged outside the turbine arrangement body 110. In some examples, the turbine moving means comprises an electrical motor arranged to move the turbine 120. In some examples, the turbine arrangement body 110 is arranged to be moved by said turbine moving means. In some examples, turbine arrangement body 110 is arranged to float on the flowing fluid 160. In some of these examples, the turbine moving means are arranged to position the turbine arrangement body 110 on the surface of the flowing fluid 160, such as by utilizing cables from land to pull the turbine arrangement body 110 into position.

[0070] In some examples, the turbine arrangement 100 is arranged to receive an instruction to move the turbine, and is arranged to move the turbine 120 utilizing said turbine moving means according to said instruction.

[0071] In some examples, the turbine moving means comprise a mechanical actuator arranged to move a turbine 120, and / or a screen configured to display instructions for a user to move the turbine(s), and / or speakers arranged to provide audio instructions for a user to move the turbine(s).

[0072] In some examples, the turbine arrangement 100 is configured to moving said at least one turbine into an initial turbine position, such as when first starting and / or resetting the turbine arrangement 100. In some examples, the initial turbine positions are predetermined. In some examples, initial turbine positions are stored on and received from a memory storage comprised in the turbine arrangement 100.

[0073] In some examples, at least one turbine 120 comprises a cross flow water turbine, a Darrieus turbines, a Gorlov turbine, a Savonius turbine and / or a plane axis turbine.

[0074] In some examples, said at least two turbines 120 are arranged for a flowing fluid comprising flowing water.

[0075] Typically, the turbine 120 and / or the turbine body arrangement 110 comprises a generator arranged to convert turbine movement caused by the kinetic energy of flowing fluid into electricity, or comprises another type of device arranged to utilize energy from the movement turbine caused by the kinetic energy of flowing fluid. Typically, the generator is directly and / or indirectly connected to an electrical grid. There exists numerous solutions on how to utilize work performed by a moving turbine and how to distribute the result of said work, such as generating electricity that is transported from the turbine arrangement 100 via electrical power cables.

[0076] In some examples, the turbine 120 and / or the turbine body arrangement 110 comprises a generator arranged to convert turbine movement caused by the kinetic energy of flowing fluid into electricity.

[0077] The fluid flow 160 may be defined by water flow coming from an upstream hydro power plant, wherein different operational modes of said hydro power plant may directly impact said flow fluid 160. In fig. lb the fluid flow 160 is illustrated by arrows of different lengths, indicating that the flow can be different over the turbine arrangement body 110. With such a fluid flow 160, the amount of energy harvested by the turbine 120 is dependent on the position of the turbine 120 on the turbine arrangement body 110.

[0078] Fig. lc shows the example turbine arrangement 100 from a side view, as represented by the eye symbol below fig. lb. The turbine extends 120 outwards from the turbine arrangement body 110. In fig. la-c the turbine 120 is connected to a generator (not shown) comprised inside the turbine arrangement body 110, wherein the generator is arranged to generate electricity and the turbine arrangement body 110 is arranged to distribute said generated electricity by connecting an electrical power cable (not shown).

[0079] It is to be understood that fig. la-c represent one type of embodiment of a turbine arrangement 100 for positioning a turbine 120 and harvesting energy from said fluid flow 160, and that several other types of embodiments with movable turbines 120 are possible. Fig. 6a-b depicts an alternative type of turbine arrangement 100, wherein the turbine arrangement body 110 floats at the surface of the flowing fluid 160, and one turbine 120 protrudes downwards from the turbine arrangement body 110 into the flowing fluid 160. It is to be understood that the term movable turbine 120 relates the turbine 120 being movable to a plurality of positions where the turbine may be in the fluid flow in the channel.

[0080] Fig. 2 illustrates an example system 200 for arranging a set of turbines 120 in a fluid flow in a channel. The example system 200 comprises three turbine arrangements 100 and a control unit 210 connected to said turbine arrangements 100. The turbine arrangements 100 may be a turbine arrangements 100 according to the examples of turbine arrangement 100 described in relation to fig. 1. In some examples, the control unit 210 is comprised in one or more of the turbine arrangements 100. In some examples, the system 200 comprises one turbine arrangement 100 with a plurality of turbines 120. In some examples, the system 200 comprises at least two turbines 120 comprised in at least one turbine arrangement 100. That is to say, the system comprises at least two separately movable turbines. Typically, the system 200 comprises at least two turbines 120 comprised in at least two turbine arrangements 100.

[0081] In some examples, the system 200 comprises at least two turbine arrangements 100. In some of these examples, the system 200 comprises at least three, at least four, at least six, or at least ten turbine arrangements 100.

[0082] In some examples, the system 200 comprises at least two turbines comprised in said turbine arrangement(s) 100. In some of these examples, the system 200 comprises at least three, at least four, at least six, at least ten, or at least twenty turbines comprised in said turbine arrangement(s) 100.

[0083] In some of these examples, said at least two turbines 120 comprise a cross flow water turbine, a Darrieus turbines, Gorlov turbine, a Savonius turbine and / or a plane axis turbine.

[0084] Fig. 2 illustrates schematically the example system 200 and how information may be shared between the turbine arrangements 100 and the control unit 210. The control unit 210 of the example system 200 comprises a computer 211 and a memory storage 212. The control unit 210 is arranged to receive channel geometry data indicative of at least part of the geometry of said channel at said system 200. The control unit 210 is arranged to receive, for each turbine 120, turbine data comprising values indicative of the amount of harvested kinetic energy by said turbine and the position of the turbine 120. The control unit 210 is arranged to receive fluid flow data comprising a set of values indicative of total fluid flow in said channel.

[0085] It is to be understood that at least part of determining turbine data typically is based on harvesting kinetic energy from said fluid flow utilizing said turbine(s). It is to be understood that the position of the turbine 120 comprised in the turbine data may be received from the memory storage 212 when the current turbine position is a target position stored in the memory storage 212, thereby the turbine arrangement 100 may not be required to continuously provide values indicative of turbine position.

[0086] In some examples, the turbine data further comprises information indicative of the possible positions that each turbine 120 is arranged to move into. For example, for the example turbine 120 shown in fig. la-c the turbine data would describe each of the nine positions 112,113 as 3D coordinates in a coordinate system. In some examples, the turbine data further comprises information indicative of the turbine shape and / or properties of the turbines ability to harvest kinetic energy from fluid flow. The computer 211 comprised in the control unit 210 is arranged to determine, for each turbine 120, a target position based on the turbine data for each turbine 120. In some examples, the computer 211 is arranged to determine, for each turbine 120, a target position based on said turbine data and said fluid flow data. In some of these examples, the computer 211 is arranged to determine, for each turbine 120, a position further based on said channel geometry data. Typically, channel geometry data is predetermined data stored on the memory storage 212 that may be used for boundary conditions in fluid flow models simulating the channel, such as the walls of said channel in a section close to the system 200.

[0087] The memory storage 212 is arranged to store and retrieve channel geometry, turbine data, fluid flow data, determined target turbine positions, and / or parts thereof. In some examples, memory storage 212 comprises a fluid flow modelling application to be executed on the computer 211, wherein the fluid flow modelling application is configured to calculate fluid flow in the channel, calculate an estimated amount of harvested kinetic energy by a turbine at a position in the fluid flow, and / or optimize the positions of a plurality of turbines in the channel. In some examples, memory storage 212 comprises, or is arranged to store, channel geometry data indicative of at least part of the geometry of said channel at said system 200, placement of said turbine arrangement(s) 100, and / or properties of said turbine arrangement(s) 100. It is to be understood that typically, the memory storage 212 of the system 200 comprises basic information about the properties of the turbine arrangement(s) 100 and the channel it is placed in. Typically, that kind of basic information represents the non-dynamic information that is not expected not change over time, such as the geometry of the channel or the possible positions the turbine arrangement(s) 100 can move turbine(s) into.

[0088] In some examples, the computer 211 is arranged to determine a target position for each turbine 120 based on said received channel geometry data, turbine data, and / or fluid flow data by utilizing said fluid flow modelling application to calculate the fluid flow in the channel at least at the turbine arrangement(s) 100, and to determine each target position based on said calculated fluid flow. In some of these examples, the computer 211 is arranged to utilize the fluid flow modelling application to optimizing the position of the at least two turbines 120 based on maximizing the total amount of expected harvested kinetic energy by said at least two turbines 120. In some examples, the fluid flow modelling application is arranged to calculate an expected amount of harvested kinetic energy of a turbine 120 based on said calculated fluid flow and a target position in the fluid flow.

[0089] Typically, calculating the fluid flow in the channel comprises forming a 3D representation of the velocity of a plurality of parts of the fluid in the channel, such as a simulation of fluid flow. Herein, calculating the fluid velocity in the volume(s) around all possible positions of the turbines 120 are of interest, however, accurately calculating the upstream turbine positions impact on downstream turbines may require calculating the fluid flow for a significantly larger volume, such as the volume of fluid in the channel section between the most upstream turbine 120 and the most downstream turbine 120. In some examples, the computer 211 is arranged to determine the target position for each turbine 120 by utilizing said fluid flow modelling application to calculate the fluid flow in at least the section of the channel between the most upstream turbine(s) 120 and the most downstream turbine(s) 120, wherein determining the target position for each turbine 120 is based on said calculated fluid flow in said section of the channel.

[0090] In some examples, the fluid flow modelling application is arranged to simulate the fluid flow in the channel including the turbines, and simulate the turbines harvesting kinetic energy. In some of these examples, the fluid flow modelling application is arranged to simultaneously determine a set of optimal target positions for the turbines 120, as opposed to iteratively adjusting one turbine 120 at a time in order to obtain a local maximum amount of harvested kinetic energy. In some examples, the fluid flow modelling application is arranged to utilize a previously calculated fluid flow to determine the set of optimal target positions for the turbines 120.

[0091] It is to be understood that said fluid flow modelling application may comprise one or more applications configured to perform the above-mentioned tasks. In some examples, said fluid flow modelling application performs some calculations in the computer 211 comprised in the control unit 210, and delegates some part of the calculations to be performed in a remote computer, such as a cloud computer.

[0092] Calculated fluid flow may be stored on the memory storage 212 in a fluid flow profile. In some examples, a fluid flow profile comprises a calculated fluid flow for the channel, and corresponding determined turbine positions and / or corresponding expected amount of harvested kinetic energy and / or received values indicative of total fluid flow in said channel. In some examples, said fluid flow profile comprises values indicative of fluid flow entering the sector of the channel comprising turbines and / or of fluid flow in a sector of the channel upstream of the turbines, such that fluid flow profiles may be compared and / or matched independent of turbine positions. In some examples, the computer 211 is arranged to retrieve and utilize a fluid flow profile to determine a target position for each turbine 120. In some of these examples, the computer 211 is arranged to compare retrieved turbine data and / or fluid flow data with stored fluid flow profiles and to, upon detecting a match according to at least one criterion, retrieve and utilize the matching fluid flow profiles to determine the target position for each turbine 120. Typically, stored fluid flow profiles may comprise fluid flow profiles corresponding to the most common states of fluid flow in the channel for channels with reoccurring states of fluid flow, such as a channel downstream an outlet of a hydro power plant.

[0093] It is to be understood that the fluid flow modelling application may comprise predetermined information about the properties of the turbine arrangement(s) 100 and / or the channel it is placed in, such that only dynamic information, such as turbine data and fluid flow data, is required be provided as an input for the fluid flow modelling application. Alternatively, the computer 211 may be arranged to receive from the memory storage 212 predetermined information about the properties of the turbine arrangement(s) 100 and / or the channel it is placed in, and provide said information to the fluid flow modelling application. In some examples, the memory storage 212 comprises predetermined information about the properties of the turbine arrangement(s) 100 and / or the channel it is placed in. In some examples, predetermined information of the turbine arrangement(s) 100 comprises the geometry and pose of each turbine arrangement 100, and the possible positions of each turbine 120. It is to be understood that the term predetermined information relates to information about the system 200 and the channel that is not expected to significantly change during operation, such as the geometry of a channel made out of concrete, or the pose of a dense turbine arrangement 100 arranged at the bottom of said channel.

[0094] In some examples, the fluid flow modelling application is a model based on and / or at least partially based on computational fluid dynamics. In some of these examples, the fluid flow modelling application is a model based on finite difference method, finite volume method, finite element method, lattice Boltzmann method, and / or smoothed particle hydrodynamics.

[0095] In some examples, the fluid flow modelling application is arranged to utilize in the positions and / or the properties of the turbines 120 when calculating fluid flow in the channel. In some examples, the fluid flow modelling application is arranged to find optimal positions for two or more turbines 120 in the fluid flow, such that the energy harvesting performance for the two or more turbines 120 is maximized. In some examples, the fluid flow modelling application is arranged to calculate fluid flow that includes the contribution of the turbines. In some examples, the fluid flow modelling application is arranged to simulate said turbines in the calculated fluid flow.

[0096] It is to be understood that the fluid flow modelling application may be arranged to simulate the fluid flow in the channel, wherein the simulation includes the turbines and wherein said simulation is utilized to find the optimal set of positions for maximum total harvested kinetic energy. Such a simulation factors in the turbines into the fluid flow, this is in contrast to simpler solutions based on obtaining a calculated fluid flow for an empty channel and then in independent processes positioning each individual turbine at the most favourable position based on said calculated fluid flow in the empty channel.

[0097] In some examples, system 200 comprises a set of sensors 220 arranged to provide a set of measurements values for the fluid flow, wherein said values are comprised in said fluid flow data. In some of these examples, the set of sensors 220 is arranged to measure fluid flow rate, velocity, temperature, pressure and / or depth. In some examples, at least some of said set of sensors 200 is comprised in one or more turbine arrangements 100. Typically, at least one sensor of the set of sensors 220 is arranged upstream of the turbine arrangement(s) 100, such that said at least one sensor 220 measures a fluid flow not impacted by the current positions of the turbines 120. In some examples, the set of sensors 200 comprises a sensor arranged to capture visual images of the channel or of an upstream facility impacting the fluid flow. In some examples, at least one sensor of the set of sensors 220 is arranged to be measuring upstream of the most upstream turbine arrangement body 110.

[0098] In some of these examples, the set of sensors 200 comprises a video digital camera and / or a digital camera arranged to capture digital images. In some of these examples, the computer 211 is arranged to determine values indicative of total fluid flow in said channel, or parts of said channel based on said digital images.

[0099] In some examples, system 200 comprises a set of sensors 220 arranged to provide a set of measurements values for the fluid flow in the channel, wherein the computer 211 is arranged to receive said set of measurements values for the fluid flow, and is arranged to determine the target position for each turbine 120 based on said set of measurements values for the fluid flow.

[0100] It is to be understood that even though the amount of harvested kinetic energy by each turbine 120 is indicative of the state of the fluid flow, herein, the turbine 120 as such is not considered a part of said set of sensors 220, as it primarily serves the purpose of harvesting kinetic energy from flowing fluid. Correspondingly the values indicative of the actual amount of harvested kinetic energy for turbines 120 are comprised in the turbine data, and are not described as part of the fluid flow data. Typically, the turbine data represents information obtained by the turbine arrangement 100 and directly relates to the operation of said turbines 120, while the fluid flow data represents information describing the fluid flow that may be received from external sources and / or is measured by the system 200, such as measurements of fluid flow in the channel by sensors.

[0101] In some examples, the turbine data comprises, for each turbine 120, a time series of positions corresponding to the position of the turbine 120 while harvesting kinetic energy from flowing fluid. In some of these examples, the fluid flow data comprises a time series of values indicative of total fluid flow in said channel, wherein said time series at least partially overlaps in time with the time series of turbine positions. In some of these examples, the computer 211 is arranged to determine a target position for each turbine 120 based turbine data and fluid flow data, wherein said time series of values indicative of total fluid flow in said channel at least partially overlaps in time with the time series of turbine position.

[0102] In some examples, the computer 211 is arranged to determine, for each turbine 120, a position based on said turbine data and said fluid flow data, wherein the turbine data corresponds to a first period of time, wherein the fluid flow data corresponds to a second period of time, and wherein said first and second period of time at least partially overlap. It is to be understood that ideally at least some turbine data and fluid flow data used to determine target positions relates to the values corresponding to same period of time.

[0103] In some examples, the system 200 is arranged to store information indicative of the turbine data and / or the determined target positions in the memory storage 212. In some of these examples, the computer 211 is arranged to retrieve said stored information indicative of the turbine data and the determined target positions from the memory storage 212, and determine a target position for each turbine 120 based on said stored information and received turbine data. For a channel expected to exhibit reoccurring states of fluid flow, such as caused by an upstream facility operating in a finite number of modes, the computer 211 may be arranged to detect that a current turbine data matches stored turbine data and directly reuse the previously determined target positions. Such use of previously determined target positions may be performed when it is reasonable to assume that the received matching turbine data has been generated by substantially the same fluid flow in the channel that was used to calculate the previously determined target positions.

[0104] It is to be understood that in order to reliably utilize the above described alternative mode of allowing the system 200 to determine the target position for each turbine 120 based on the received turbine data and stored information requires a significant amount of stored information, and / or a fluid flow that is expected to assume a limited number of states. This may allow a newly installed system 200 to, under an initial period of time after installation, operate by utilizing a powerful computer 211 and determine target positions by calculating fluid flow. Thereafter, once a significant number of target positions have been determined and stored, the system 200 utilized a less powerful computer 211 arranged to primarily operate according to the above alternative mode in order to determine target positions.

[0105] In some examples, the memory storage 212 comprises predetermined information indicative of turbine data and corresponding determined target positions. In some of these examples, the computer 211 is arranged to retrieve said stored information indicative of the turbine data and the determined target positions from the memory storage 212, and determine a target position for each turbine 120 based on said stored information and received turbine data.

[0106] In some examples, the system 200 is arranged to store information indicative of the fluid flow data, and / or the determined target positions in the memory storage 212. In some of these examples, the computer 211 is arranged to retrieve said stored information indicative of the fluid flow data and the determined target positions from the memory storage 212, and determine a target position for each turbine 120 based on said stored information and received fluid flow data. For a channel expected to exhibit reoccurring states of fluid flow, such as caused by an upstream facility operating in a finite number of modes, the computer 211 may be arranged to detect that a current fluid flow data matches stored fluid flow and directly reuse the previously determined target positions. Such use of previously determined target positions may be performed in use cases where it is reasonable to assume that the received matching fluid flow data has been generated by substantially the same fluid flow in the channel that was used to calculate the previously determined target positions.

[0107] It is to be understood that in order to reliably utilize the above described alternative mode of allowing the system 200 to determine the target position for each turbine 120 based on the received fluid flow data and stored information requires a significant amount of stored information, and / or a fluid flow that is expected to assume a limited number of states. This may allow a newly installed system 200 to, under an initial period of time after installation, operate by utilizing a powerful computer 211 and determine target positions by calculating a simulated fluid flow. Thereafter, once a significant number of target positions have been determined and stored, the system 200 utilized a less powerful computer 211 arranged to primarily operate according to the above alternative mode in order to determine target positions.

[0108] In some examples, the memory storage 212 comprises predetermined information indicative of fluid flow data and corresponding determined target positions. In some of these examples, the computer 211 is arranged to retrieve said stored information indicative of the fluid flow data and the determined target positions from the memory storage 212, and determine a target position for each turbine 120 based on said stored information and received fluid flow data.

[0109] In some examples, the computer 211 is arranged to determine the performance of each turbine 120. In some of these examples, the computer 211 determine the performance of a turbine based on the turbine data, the fluid flow data, the amount of harvested kinetic energy by the turbine and the expected amount of harvested kinetic energy for the turbine. In some examples, the system 200 comprises turbine monitoring means (not shown) arranged to detect deviations in turbine performance, such as damages to the turbine or debris reducing the turbine's ability to function, and provide values indicative of any performance loss to the computer 211. In some examples, turbine data further comprises said turbine performance. Said turbine performance may be represented by a modifier to the expected amount of harvested kinetic energy for the turbine, and the computer 211 may be arranged to correct estimated expected amount of harvested kinetic energy for the turbine with the modifier in order to more accurately expect the harvested kinetic energy by a damaged turbine 120.

[0110] The computer 211 is arranged to control the turbine moving means of the turbine arrangements 100 to move each turbine 120 to the corresponding determined target position. Typically, the system 200 is arranged to, after determining target turbine positions, iteratively move turbines, receive turbine data and fluid flow data, and determine target turbine positions until at least one criterion is satisfied. It is to be understood that the expression "the computer 211 is arranged to control the turbine moving means" may include utilizing intermediary computers to actuate the turbine moving means, such as instructing a computer (not shown) arranged in a turbine arrangement 100. In some examples, the computer 211 is arranged to determine an expected power generation value indicative of an expected amount of harvested kinetic energy per unit time by said turbines. In some of these examples, the criterion for iterating to determine new target positions is based on the expected amount of harvested kinetic energy and the current amount of harvested kinetic energy. In some of these examples, the iteration does not end upon meeting said at least one criterion is satisfied but instead halts until the difference between the expected amount of harvested kinetic energy and the current amount of harvested kinetic energy, or some other condition, causes the iteration to resume.

[0111] In some examples, the system 200 is arranged to, upon at least one criterion is satisfied, perform a sweep of turbine positions with at least one turbine 120, wherein the sweep of turbine positions comprises moving in a predetermined pattern and harvesting kinetic energy, such that turbine data for one turbine 120 may be collected from a plurality of positions without determining target positions. In some examples, the computer is arranged to receive turbine data, wherein receiving turbine data comprises performing a sweep of turbine positions with at least one turbine 120.

[0112] In some examples, said at least one criterion to be satisfied comprises a criterion that the current amount of harvested kinetic energy is at least 80% of the expected amount of harvested kinetic energy. In some examples, the thresholds for said at least one criterion is determined based on previously calculated expected amount of harvested kinetic energy and corresponding actual amount of harvested kinetic energy. In some examples, the system 200 comprises turbine moving means arranged to move one or more of said turbines by providing an instruction to a user to move said turbines. In some of these examples, the turbine moving means comprise a screen configured to display instructions to move turbines, and / or speakers arranged to provide audio instructions to move turbines. It is to be understood that the core of the invention relates to determining positions for turbines in a fluid flow, and that the subsequent step of moving said turbines to the determined positions may be performed in a multitude of different automatic and / or manual solutions. In some examples, the system 200 comprises turbine moving means arranged providing an instruction to a user to move one or more turbine arrangements 100.

[0113] In some examples, the system 200 is configured to move said turbines into initial turbine positions, such as when first starting and / or resetting the turbine arrangement(s) 100 or the system 200. In some examples, the initial turbine positions are predetermined. In some examples, the system 200 is arranged to determine initial turbine positions based on one or more sets of determined target positions. In some examples, initial turbine positions are stored on and received from the memory storage 212.

[0114] In some examples, the computer 211 is arranged to initiate determining a target position for each turbine 120 within a predetermined amount of time since the most recent determining of target positions. In some examples, the computer 211 is arranged to initiate determining a target position for each turbine 120 upon the current amount of harvested kinetic energy being below a threshold value and / or upon having decreased over time according to at least one criterion.

[0115] It is to be understood that the expression "determining a target position for each turbine" and "iterating to determine new target positions" relates to performing all the actions required to successfully determine new target positions, this includes obtaining new input in the form of at least receiving new turbine data and / or new fluid flow data.

[0116] In some examples, the control unit 210 further comprises communication means 213 arranged to receive auxiliary information indicative of the fluid flow in the channel from an external system 600 wherein said receive auxiliary information is comprised in said fluid flow data. For example, the auxiliary information from an external system 600 may be information describing the current and / or planned operational mode of an upstream facility that governs the downstream fluid flow, such as an upstream hydroelectric power plant. In some examples, the received auxiliary information is indicative of the current and / or planned volume per unit time of fluid flow in the channel. In some of these examples, the received auxiliary information comprises the current and / or planned volume per unit time of fluid flow in the channel. It is to be understood that the external system 600 in fig. 2 represents any system or systems able to send information to and / or receive information from the control unit 210, such as a cloud computer or a cloud storage. In some examples, the external system 600 is arranged to measure fluid flow and provide fluid flow data, store received and / or calculated information, calculate fluid flow, and / or determine the optimal turbine positions in the fluid flow.

[0117] In some examples, the control unit 210 further comprises communication means 213 arranged to transmit information indicative of the turbine data, fluid flow data, and / or the determined target positions. In some of these examples, the control unit 210 is arranged to transmit via said communication means 213 information indicative of the turbine data, fluid flow data, and / or the determined target positions to an external system 600 arranged to serve as long term storage for said information.

[0118] In some examples, the system 200 comprises communication means 213 arranged to communicate with the external system 600, wherein the external system 600 is arranged to calculate at least part of the fluid flow of the channel, optimized turret positions, and / or is arranged to calculate at least part of the expected amount of harvested kinetic energy of a turbine 120 based on said calculated fluid flow and a target position in the fluid flow, and wherein the system 200 is arranged to receive values indicative of said calculated fluid flow of the channel, optimized turret positions, and / or said calculated expected amount of harvested kinetic energy from the external system 600.

[0119] It is to be understood that calculating fluid flow may have a relatively high computational cost, therefore the system 200 may utilize one or more external systems to perform one or more computational tasks.

[0120] In some examples, the external system 600 is one or more remote computers.

[0121] The invention relates to an assembly comprising one or more systems 200 for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow in a channel, and one or more remote computers 600 arranged to perform calculations and / or store received and calculated data, wherein at least one system 200 is connected to said one or more remote computers 600, and wherein each connected system 200 is arranged to transmit turbine data, and / or fluid flow data to said one or more remote computers 600. The one or more remote computers 600 are arranged to calculate at least part of the fluid flow of the channel, and / or is arranged to calculate at least part of the expected amount of harvested kinetic energy of a turbine 120 based on said calculated fluid flow and a target position in the fluid flow, and wherein the system 200 is arranged to receive values indicative of said calculated fluid flow of the channel and / or said calculated expected amount of harvested kinetic energy from the remote computers 600. In some examples, said one or more remote computers 600 comprises a cloud computing and / or cloud storage solution. In some examples, at least one of said one or more remote computers 600 comprises the fluid flow modelling application, wherein said one or more remote computers 600 is arranged to utilize said fluid flow modelling application to calculate at least part of the fluid flow of the channel, optimized turret positions, and / or is arranged to calculate at least part of the expected amount of harvested kinetic energy of a turbine 120 based on said calculated fluid flow and a target position in the fluid flow.

[0122] Fig. 3 shows an example method for harvesting the kinetic energy from the fluid flow with a turbine assembly comprising at least one movable turbine arranged to harvest kinetic energy from said fluid flow, wherein each turbine is arranged to be moved between a plurality of positions by turbine moving means. The method 300 comprises

[0123] - harvesting 310 kinetic energy from said fluid flow utilizing said at least one turbine;

[0124] - determining 320 turbine data comprising values indicative of, for each turbine, the amount of harvest kinetic energy and the corresponding turbine position;

[0125] - providing 330 turbine data to a computer arranged to determine a target turbine position based on said turbine data;

[0126] - receiving 340 target turbine positions; and

[0127] - moving 350 each turbine based on the corresponding received target positions utilizing said turbine moving means.

[0128] In some examples, the method 300 for harvesting the kinetic energy from the fluid flow with a turbine assembly comprises iteratively harvesting 310 kinetic energy, determining 320 turbine data and providing 330 turbine data until receiving 340 target turbine positions, whereby the turbine(s) are moved 350 to the target turbine positions, and thereafter the iteration of steps 310,320,330 resumes. For example, the turbine assembly may continuously provide turbine data based on the operation of the turbine assembly and move the turbines based on received target turbine positions.

[0129] In some examples of the method 300, the turbine assembly comprises the computer arranged to determine a target turbine position based on said turbine data.

[0130] Fig. 4 shows an example computer method for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow in a channel, wherein at least two turbines are comprised in at least one turbine arrangement, wherein each turbine is arranged to be moved between a plurality of positions by turbine moving mean, and wherein each turbine is arranged to harvest kinetic energy from said fluid flow. The method 400 comprises

[0131] - determining 420, for each turbine, turbine data comprising values indicative of the amount of harvested kinetic energy by said turbine and the position of the turbine; - determining 450 a target position for each turbine based on turbine data; and

[0132] - controlling 460 turbine moving means to move each turbine based on the corresponding determined target position.

[0133] In some examples, determining 450 a target position for each turbine is further based on channel geometry data indicative of at least part of the geometry of said channel at said set of turbines.

[0134] In some examples, the method 400 comprises determining 430 fluid flow data comprising a set of values indicative of total fluid flow in said channel; and wherein determining 450 a target position for each turbine based on turbine data and fluid flow data.

[0135] In some examples, the method 400 comprises receiving 440 auxiliary flow data indicative of the fluid flow in the channel from external systems, wherein determining 450 a target position for each turbine further based on said received auxiliary flow data.

[0136] In some examples, the method 400 comprises a step of moving 410 the turbines into initial turbine positions. In some examples, the initial turbine positions are predetermined. In some examples, the method comprises determining initial turbine positions based on one or more sets of determined target positions. In some examples, initial turbine positions are stored on and received from a memory storage.

[0137] In some examples, controlling 460 turbine moving means to move each turbine may be based on providing an instruction to a user to move said turbines. In some of these examples, the turbine moving means comprise a screen configured to display instructions to move turbines, and / or speakers arranged to provide audio instructions to move turbines. It is to be understood that the core of the invention relates to determining positions for turbines in a fluid flow, and that the subsequent step of moving said turbines to the determined positions may be performed in a multitude of different automatic and / or manual solutions. In some examples, controlling 460 turbine moving means to move each turbine may be based on providing an instruction to a user to move one or more turbine arrangements 100.

[0138] Typically, the method 400 is configured to iteratively determine 420 turbine data and, upon fulfilling at least one criterion, determine 450 target positions and move 460 turbines accordingly, and thereafter iteratively determine 420 turbine data. In fig. 4 said iteration is indicated by an arrow from the step of moving 460 turbines to the target positions to he step of determining 420 turbine data. It is to be understood that the step of determine 420 turbine data may itself be repeated multiple times before determining 450 said target positions. Typically, performing the step of determining 450 said target positions is triggered by the amount of harvested kinetic energy in said determined turbine data fulfilling at least one criterion, such as the amount of harvested kinetic energy decreasing.

[0139] Fig. 5 illustrates an example scenario of utilizing an example system 200 for arranging a set of turbines 120 in a fluid flow 160 to determine a favourable position for four turbine arrangements 100. In the example the system 200 comprising four turbine arrangements 100 is arranged in a channel 500 comprising fluid flow of water downstream of a hydroelectric power plant (not shown). Typically, the fluid flow may change based on one or more external factors, such as the hydroelectric power plant changing mode of operation. Such changes may alter the fluid flow at the turbines 120 or the water level of the fluid flow in the channel 500. These factors, among others, could change the direction, velocity and magnitude of the fluid flow 160 at the four turbine arrangements 100. The example system 200 is configured to when a criterion is met start the process of determining target positions for the set of turbines, thus adapting to changing external factors. Fig. 5 shows four turbine arrangements 100 in the channel 500 arranged after each other. Each turbine arrangements 100 comprises a turbine arrangement body 110 and a movable turbine 120. The turbine arrangements 100 are configured to communicate with a control unit 210 and provide turbine data to the control unit 210. Fig. 5 shows that one turbine arrangement 100 communicates with the control unit 210 via another turbine arrangement 100.

[0140] At the start of the example scenario the turbines 120 of said turbine arrangements 100 have been positioned in predetermined initial turbine positions based on an assumed turbine positions for harvesting kinetic energy from the fluid flow 160. Upon initializing the system 200 each turbine arrangement 100 provides turbine data to the control unit 210 indicative of the amount of harvest kinetic energy from said fluid flow and turbine positions. The control unit 210 further receives fluid flow data from an external system, wherein fluid flow data comprises values for the total fluid flow in the channel 500. In the example scenario, the external system is a computer at the hydroelectric power plant arranged to monitor water flow into the channel 500. The computer comprised in the control unit 210 receives channel geometry data from a memory storage, and determines a target position for each turbine 120 based on said received channel geometry data, turbine data and fluid flow data, utilizing a fluid flow application comprised in the memory storage to calculate the fluid flow. The control unit 210 further determines an expected power generation value indicative of an expected amount of harvested kinetic energy per unit time by said turbines 120 at the target positions based on the calculated fluid flow.

[0141] The control unit 210 controls the turbine moving means to move the turbines 120 into the determined target positions. The control unit 210 obtains turbine data from the four turbine arrangements 100 and compares the expected power generation value with the power generation value according to the received turbine data. In the example scenario the difference is initially small and no further action is taken by the control unit 210 beyond monitoring the obtained turbine data and / or received fluid flow data.

[0142] After a period of time the power generation value according to the received turbine data starts to significantly deviate from the expected power generation value, such as decreasing to below 70% of the expected power generation value. The decrease indicates that the fluid flow has changed and the control unit 210 performs the steps to determine a target position for each turbine 120 in order to find new target positions for the turbines 120.

[0143] Fig. 6a-b illustrates an example turbine arrangement 100 configured to harvest kinetic energy. The example turbine arrangement 100 is arranged to float on the surface of the flowing fluid and has a turbine 120 extending downward into the flowing fluid. Fig. 6a shows a side-view of the example turbine arrangement 100. Fig. 6b shows a top down view of two example turbine arrangements 100 in a channel 500 with turbine moving means 130 attached at the sides of the channel 500.

[0144] Fig. 6a-b shows the example turbine arrangement 100. The turbine arrangement 100 comprises a turbine arrangement body 110, a turbine 120, floatation means 115 and turbine moving means 130. The turbine 120 comprises three vertical turbine blades 121. In some examples the floatation means 115 comprise at least one pontoon. Fig. 6a-b shows the incoming direction of a flowing fluid 160 moving past the turbine arrangement(s) 100.

[0145] In some examples, each turbine 120 comprises at least two turbine blades 121. In some of these examples, the turbine 120 comprises at least three, at least four, at least six, at least eight, or at least ten turbine blades 121. In some examples, each turbine 120 comprises at most ten turbine blades 121.

[0146] In comparison to the example turbine arrangement 100 in fig la-c, the example turbine arrangement 100 in fig. 6a-b does not primarily change position by moving the turbine 120 relative to the turbine arrangement body 110, instead the turbine 120 is moved by moving the turbine 120 and the turbine arrangement body 110 together. Furthermore, the example turbine arrangement 100 in fig la-c is typically arranged on the bottom of a channel, while the example turbine arrangement 100 in fig. 6a-b is arranged to float on the flowing fluid utilizing floating means 115.

[0147] Fig. 6b shows the two example turbine arrangements 100, wherein the turbine positioning means 130 move the turbine 120 by positioning the turbine arrangement body 110 on the channel 500 by utilizing cables attached to the side of the channel 500. In some examples, the turbine arrangement 100 is arranged to be in an open channel 500 comprising surface water. In some examples, the system 200 in fig. 2 is arranged to be used in an open channel 500.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow in a channel, the system (200) comprising at least one turbine arrangement (100) and a control unit (210), wherein each turbine arrangement (100) is connected to the control unit (210), and comprises a turbine arrangement body (110), at least one turbine (120), and turbine moving means (130), and wherein the system (200) comprises at least two separate turbines (120) comprised in said turbine arrangement(s) (100),- wherein each turbine arrangement body (120) is arranged to be in the fluid flow and / or at the channel (500) for said fluid flow,- wherein each turbine (120) is attached to the corresponding turbine arrangement body (110), and is arranged to separately be moved to a plurality of positions (112) by the turbine moving means (130), and- wherein each turbine (120) is arranged to be in said fluid flow and arranged to harvest kinetic energy from said fluid flow (160); characterized by that the control unit (210) comprises a computer (211) arranged to- receive, for each turbine (120), turbine data comprising values indicative of the amount of harvested kinetic energy by said turbine and the position (112) of the turbine (120),- determine a target position (112) for each turbine (120) based on said received turbine data, and- control the corresponding turbine moving means (130) to arrange the turbines (120) based on the corresponding determined target positions (112).

2. The system according to any preceding claims, wherein determining the target position (112) for each turbine (120) based on said turbine data, comprises calculating fluid flow in the channel and optimizing the position of a plurality of the at least two turbines based on maximizing the total amount of harvested kinetic energy by said at least two turbines (120) for said calculated fluid flow.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the computer (211) is arranged to receive channel geometry data indicative of at least part of the geometry of said channel (500) at said system (200), and wherein determine the target position (112) for each turbine (120) is further based on said received channel geometry data.

4. The system according to any preceding claim, wherein the computer (211) is arranged to receive fluid flow data comprising a set of values indicative of total fluid flow in said channel (500), and wherein determine the target position (112) for each turbine (120) if further based on said received fluid flow data.

5. The system according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit (210) comprises a memory storage (212) arranged to store and retrieve channel geometry data, turbine data, fluid flow data, calculated fluid flow in the channel, and / or determined target positions (112) for turbines.

6. The system according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the computer (211) is arranged to store a set of determined turbine positions corresponding to a set of values indicative of total fluid flow in said channel (500) in the memory storage (212), and to, upon receive fluid flow data indicative of a total fluid flow matching any total fluid flow associated with the stored set of determined turbine positions, retrieve and utilize said stored set of turbine positions to determine the target position (112) for each turbine (120).

7. The system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein determining the target position (112) for each turbine (120) based on said received turbine data, is further based on one or more predetermined fluid flow profiles comprised in the memory storage (212), wherein each fluid flow profile describes fluid flow in the channel (500) at said system (200) under a different fluid flow condition.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the computer (211) is arranged to store calculated fluid flow in the channel as fluid flow profiles in the memory storage (212), and determining the target position (112) for each turbine (120) based on any stored fluid flow profiles.

9. The system according to any preceding claims, wherein the computer (211) is arranged to determine an expected power generation value indicative of an expected amount of harvested kinetic energy per unit time by said turbines, calculate a current power generation value indicative of the current amount of harvested kinetic energy per unit time by said turbines, and upon the difference between the expected power generation value and current power generation value fulfilling at least one criterion, receive turbine data and determine the target position (112) for each turbine (120).

10. The system according to claim 4, wherein the system (200) comprises at least one flow sensor arranged to measure fluid flow in the channel, wherein said measured fluid flow is comprised in said fluid flow data, and / or wherein the system (200) comprises at least one camera arranged to capture images of the fluid flow in the channel, wherein said captured images are comprised in said fluid flow data.

11. The system according to any preceding claims, wherein the system (200) comprises turbine monitoring means arranged to determine the performance of each turbine, wherein turbine data further comprises said turbine performance.

12. The system according to claim 4, wherein the system (200) comprises water depth measuring means arranged to determine the water depth at at least part of the channel (500), wherein fluid flow data further comprises said determined water depth.

13. A computer method for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow in a channel, wherein at least two turbines (120) are comprised in at least one turbine arrangement (100), wherein each turbine (120) is arranged to be moved between a plurality of positions (112) by turbine moving means (130), and wherein each turbine (120) is arranged to harvest kinetic energy from said fluid flow (160); the method (400) comprises,- determining (420), for each turbine (120), turbine data comprising values indicative of the amount of harvested kinetic energy by said turbine (120) and the position (112) of the turbine (120),- determining (450) a target position (112) for each turbine (120) based on turbine data, and- controlling (460) turbine moving means (130) to move each turbine (120) based on the corresponding determined target position.

14. The method according to claim 13, comprising receiving (430) fluid flow data comprising a set of values indicative of total fluid flow in said channel (500); and wherein determining (450) a target position (112) for each turbine (120) based on turbine data and fluid flow data.

15. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (412) having thereon a computer program comprising program instructions, the computer program being loadable into a processor (411) and configured to cause the processor (411) to perform the method for arranging a set of turbines in a fluid flow according to claim 13 or 14.

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