Reducing primary energy consumption is vital to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy independence. Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems recover low-temperature waste heat using organic fluids, but transport applications require miniaturised systems (mini-ORCs). Their turbines operate under high pressure ratios, leading to supersonic flows and efficiency losses from trailing-edge shocks. To optimise turbine design under non-ideal compressible fluid dynamics (NICFD) conditions associated with organic fluids, Delft University of Technology developed the ORCHID test rig. This thesis focuses on designing a linear stator cascade test section to enable experimental validation of stator design guidelines, numerical models, and modelling assumptions. Cascade geometries were designed for varying fluid thermodynamic conditions and analysed using CFD. Results show nonideality reduces exit flow angle, while cascade blade loading is strongly influenced by tailboard alignment. Additionally, the number of cascade passages has little impact on the flow field in the centre passge.

The aim of this Design Synthesis Exercise was to design a floating large-scale wind farm of 1 GW in deep water using an Airborne Wind Energy System (AWES) that is cost-competitive, largely recyclable and uses less material than conventional wind turbines. By exploring the project foundation, carrying out an iterative single-system design process, and delving into the farm layout and management, this project assesses the feasibility of this novel concept. This report proposes an initial design with the resources currently available to the team while highlighting the next steps that need to be taken in order to pursue further design iterations, prototyping, and testing of this concept. This initial design, the tool developed to carry out the sizing, and a detailed reflection on the limitations of this design process and concept could be stated as the main contribution of this project to the field of airborne wind energy.