Session: 09-04-01 Hybrids & Floating Solar Energy

Paper Number: 79728

79728 - The Development of a Time-Domain BEM to Investigate Dynamics of a Floating Solar Platform in Nonlinear Wave Regimes 

Harvesting offshore solar power depends on the survival of floating solar platforms under
environmental loads such as waves and winds. The response of platforms upon the incident
wave depends on the geometry of the platforms drastically. In this study, the solar platform is
equipped with two tubular floaters embedded a distance in between, to reserve buoyancy. The
displacement as well as the gap length, affect the fluid flow induced by the wave interaction
with the platform. The transmitted flow of incident waves amongst the gap and its combination
with radiated waves by the floaters’ motions produces a complex flow that may be stimulated
by reflecting between floaters. The resultant flow influences the hydrodynamic loads, which
may magnify the platform motions. To study this phenomenon, a range of wave frequencies is
chosen for interacting with the platform and a numerical model is employed to estimate the
dynamics of the platform. Then a parametric analysis is performed on the platform response
versus the wave characteristics, which both are normalized by geometric properties of the
platform, to establish the range of non-dimensional wave properties that the responses are
amplifying. It would enhance the basic design of the platform geometry and the mooring
system.

Presenting Author: Arash Abbasnia Queen's University Belfast

Authors:

Arash Abbasnia Queen's University Belfast
Madjid Karimirad Queen's University Belfast
Gautam Baruah Queen's University Belfast
Trevor Whittaker Queen's University Belfast