This article describes a new method for simulating unsteady hydrodynamics forces and moments on the blades of a crossflow 'Darrieus' turbine with active pitch variation. This method is based on the ONERA-EDLIN dynamic stall model, coupled with a momentum streamtube model to take into account the turbine interference on the flow. Both models are presented, and compared separately with experimental results for a pitching airfoil for the ONERA-EDLIN model; and for Darrieus turbine for the momentum theory. The model coupling is then detailed and compared with experimental data taken from the open literature [1] The turbine has 2 straight blades with a NACA 0012 section operating in water at a mean chord Reynolds number of 4 x 10(4) for tip speed ratio lambda = 2.5, 5 and 7.5. Good agreement was found for average lambda = 5, and qualitative agreement could be obtained at low and high lambda, where dynamic stall effects and interference effects respectively are predominant. This is positive because lambda = 5 is the closest value from the optimal power production point. Variable pitch is finally introduced in the model and several functions are tested in order to increase efficiency. A maximum increase of 53% on the power coefficient was found to occur with a sinusoidal law. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.