Wind–Wave Coupling Effect on the Dynamic Response of a Combined Wind–Wave Energy Converter

Abstract

There is a huge energy demand from offshore renewable energy resources. To maximize the use of various renewable energy sources, a combined floating energy system consisting of different types of energy devices is an ideal option to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by sharing the infrastructure of the platform and enhancing the power production capacity. This study proposed a combined concept of energy systems by combing a heave-type wave energy converter (WEC) with a semisubmersible floating wind turbine. In order to investigate the power performance and dynamic response of the combined concept, coupled aero-hydro-servo-elastic analysis was carried out using the open-source code F2A, which is based on the coupling of the FAST and AQWA tools by integrating all the possible environmental loadings (e.g., aerodynamic, hydrodynamic). Numerical results obtained by AQWA are used to verify the accuracy of the coupled model in F2A in predicting dynamic responses of the combined system. The main hydrodynamic characteristics of the combined system under typical operational conditions were examined, and the calculated responses (motions, mooring line tension and produced wave power) are discussed. Additionally, the effect of aerodynamic damping on the dynamic response of the combined system was examined and presented. Moreover, a second fully coupled analysis model was developed, and its response predictions were compared with the predictions of the model developed with F2A in order for the differences of the calculated responses resulted by the different modeling techniques to be discussed and explained. Finally, the survivability of the combined concept has been examined for different possible proposed survival modes.

A state-of-the-art review of the hybrid wind-wave energy converter

“…Inspired by the STC system, DLUT [127,128] proposed an energy system combining a braceless semi-submersible OWT platform and a heave buoy mounted on the central column of the platform, which is shown in figure 32. Chen et al [129] proposed a high-power integrated generation unit for offshore wind power and ocean wave energy (W2P).…”

“…Moreover, Peiffer et al [120] analyzed the response of the hybrid system based on the coupled analysis of OrcaFlex and WAMIT. DLUT [127] used two NUM methods to simulate the dynamic response and power performance of the hybrid W-OT system. One of the methods is the open-source code F2A, which is based on the coupling of the FAST and AQWA tools by integrating all possible environmental loads; the other is AQWA.…”

Fully Coupled Analysis of an Integrated Floating Wind-Wave Power Generation Platform in Operational Sea-States

“…This approach is known as the F2A method and enables AQWA to be capable of performing fully coupled analysis of both the FOWT and FWWP. The F2A method was subsequently used by Li et al (2021) to analyse the wind-wave coupling effects on the dynamics of an FWWP consisting of a braceless semi-submersible-type FOWT and a heave-type WEC.…”

Investigation on a Large-Scale Braceless-TLP Floating Offshore Wind Turbine at Intermediate Water Depth

“…Wind power, as a source of nonpolluting, inexhaustible renewable energy, is seen as an effective solution to meet the fast-growing energy demand and the target of decarbonization. The development of wind energy technology has shown the trend of moving from onshore toward offshore, as the latter has the advantages of higher wind speed, lower turbulence, greater predictability, and the potential for the deployment of larger-scale wind farms [1,2]. As for 2020, a total of 35.3 GW of offshore wind capacity has been installed over the world, with 28.9% in the UK, 28.3% in China, and 21.9% in Germany.…”