Environmental Co-design: Fish-Blade Collision Model for Hydrokinetic Turbines

A major challenge in the deployment of hydrokinetic turbines in aquatic environments is the risk of fish collisions. Traditional fish collision models often oversimplify this risk by neglecting critical factors, such as the thickness of the turbine and accessory structures. Additionally, variations in fish size and species are frequently overlooked. This study addresses these gaps by developing a swimming mechanics-based fish-blade collision model. Using a Lagrangian particle tracking approach, we simulate fish movements and evaluate collision risks with a representative hydrokinetic turbine, both with and without ducts. The model is applied to the velocity field at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, allowing for the assessment of collision risks across different fish species. The results offer valuable insights for turbine siting, optimization of turbine placement, and evaluation of protective designs to reduce environmental impacts in complex flow environments.