Simulated and experimental investigation of a floating-array-buoys wave energy converter with single-point mooring. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Pengyuan; Liu, Senming; He, Hongzhou; Zhao, Yingru; Zheng, Songgen; Chen, Hu; Yang, Shaohui
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 176(2021)
• Page Start: 637
• Page End: 650
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: FABWEC -- Single-point mooring -- Stability and survivability -- Simulated and experimental investigation; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.05.084
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: A novel floating-array-buoys wave energy converter (FABWEC) system integrating multi-point absorption wave energy capturing technology and single-point catenary mooring technology is proposed in this study. The research contents of this paper mainly focus on the stability and survivability of the proposed FABWEC system under the rated sea conditions. Numerical simulation and experimental validation are developed, and the comparisons of system performances between experimental and simulated results are performed. The results show that the maximum mooring tension occurs when the inclination angle of anchor chain is 30° under the environment loads of 180°. Under an extreme environmental condition, the safety factor of maximum mooring force is 9.49 which meets the internationally recognized safety requirement for the mooring system, and the maximum displacement of the wave power platform occurs in surge is 14.03 m and the maximum angle occurs in pitch is −6.99°. The experimental motion curves are basically consistent with the simulated results, and the power platform ultimately reaches a stable position during the experiments. According to the simulated and experimental investigation, the stability and survivability of the FABWEC system are effectively confirmed. Significantly, this study provides a beneficial experience for the practical application and stable operation of WECs. Highlights: A floating-array-buoys wave energy converter for power generation is presented. The FABWEC integrates multi-point absorption and single-point mooring technology. Simulated and experimental performances of the FABWEC are analyzed and compared. Good stability and survivability of the FABWEC are confirmed.