This paper presents an initial experimental study of wave energy converters concentrically arranged and attached on a floating offshore platform model. The 1:27 scale model, has been designed, built and tested, in two main situations, without and with twelve cone shape wave energy converters. To simulate the power takeoff system in each wave energy converter, rotational friction dampers have been installed on the joints of the floaters arms to the platform deck. The experimental results show that the interaction between buoys and platform have a positive effect on the platform heave and pitch motions. However, the reduction in heave and pitch motions of the platform, after installing the wave energy converter array, depends on the damping of the equivalent power takeoff system. Thus, the effect of dampers in the motion of buoys is presented to allow an initial understanding of the required damping range of the power takeoff system and related control strategies.

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This paper presents a study regarding a novel hybrid concept for both wind and wave energy offshore. The concept resembles a semi-submersible wind platform with a larger number of columns. Wave Energy Devices such as point absorbers are to be displayed around the unit, capturing wave energy while heaving and also enhancing the stability of the platform. In this paper, a first numerical study of the platform’s hull, without Wave Energy Converters, is carried out. Experiments in wave basin regarding the same unit have been conducted and the results are presented and compared to the numerical ones. Both stability and seakeeping performances are assessed and compared.

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