Comparative numerical and experimental study of two combined wind and wave energy concepts

With a successful and rapid development of offshore wind industry and increased research activities on wave energy conversion in recent years,there is an interest in investigating the technological and economic feasibility of combining offshore wind turbines(WTs)with wave energy converters(WECs).In the EU FP7 MARINA Platform project,three floating combined concepts,namely the spar torus combination(STC),the semi-submersible flap combination(SFC)and the oscillating water column(OWC)array with a wind turbine,were selected and studied in detail by numerical and experimental methods.This paper summarizes the numerical modeling and analysis of the two concepts:STC and SFC,the model tests at a 1:50 scale under simultaneous wave and wind excitation,as well as the comparison between the numerical and experimental results.Both operational and survival wind and wave conditions were considered.The numerical analysis was based on a time-domain global model using potential flow theory for hydrodynamics and blade element momentum theory(for SFC)or simplified thrust force model(for STC)for aerodynamics.Different techniques for model testing of combined wind and wave concepts were discussed with focus on modeling of wind turbines by disk or redesigned small-scale rotor and modeling of power take-off(PTO)system for wave energy conversion by pneumatic damper or hydraulic rotary damper.In order to reduce the uncertainty due to scaling,the numerical analysis was performed at model scale and both the numerical and experimental results were then up-scaled to full scale for comparison.The comparison shows that the current numerical model can well predict the responses(motions,PTO forces,power production)of the combined concepts for most of the cases.However,the linear hydrodynamic model is not adequate for the STC concept in extreme wave conditions with the torus fixed to the spar at the mean water level for which the wave slamming on the torus occurs and this requires further investigation.Moreover,based on a preliminary comparison of the displacement,the PTO system as well as the wind and wave power production,the STC concept will have a lower cost of energy as compared to the SFC concept.However,the cost of energy of either the STC or the SFC concept is higher than that of a pure floating wind turbine with the same floater.

Concept Design and Coupled Dynamic Response Analysis on 6-MW Spar-Type Floating Offshore Wind Turbine

Tower, Spar platform and mooring system are designed in the project based on a given 6-MW wind turbine. Under wind-induced only, wave-induced only and combined wind and wave induced loads, dynamic response is analyzed for a 6-MW Spar-type floating offshore wind turbine （FOWT） under operating conditions and parked conditions respectively. Comparison with a platform-fixed system （land-based system） ofa 6-MW wind turbine is carried out as well. Results demonstrate that the maximal out-of-plane deflection of the blade of a Spar-type system is 3.1% larger than that of a land-based system; the maximum response value of the nacelle acceleration is 215% larger for all the designed load cases being considered; the ultimate tower base fore-aft bending moment of the Spar-type system is 92% larger than that of the land-based system in all of the Design Load Cases （DLCs） being considered; the fluctuations of the mooring tension is mainly wave-induced, and the safety factor of the mooring tension is adequate for the 6-MW FOWT. The results can provide relevant modifications to the initial design for the Spar-type system, the detailed design and model basin test of the 6-MW Spar-type system.

Resource assessment for combined offshore wind and wave energy in China

The development of offshore wind farms has experienced rapid growth during the past decade. In particular, China has the highest number of installations worldwide, but some challenges exist for further development. Consequently, some researchers suggest combining wave energy with offshore wind energy. To fully implement this plan, a comprehensive resource assessment of combined offshore wind and wave energy systems is needed. Investigations of the parameters, such as the spatial and temporal distribution of wind and wave energy, aggregate resource reserves, available technical potential, and total capacity factor, are vital for designing the required wind turbines and wave energy converters. To assist scientific development and governmental decision making, this paper aims to evaluate offshore wind and wave energy resources from a technological perspective. The results show that theoretical offshore wind and wave energy resources are abundant in China's ocean territory, with a potential of approximately 3 TW. Technically, of the three most popular offshore wind turbines, i.e., 6, 8, and 10 MW, 10 MW is overall the most suitable in China. However, of the three wave energy converters, i.e., 120, 250, and 750 kW, 120 kW is the best candidate for Liaoning Province, and 750 kW is the most suitable for the remainder of its region. Overall, the total annual energy production is approximately 7000 TWh.