Session: 09-07-01: Floating Solar Energy I

Submission Number: 156362

Wave Induced Response of Shallow Draft Interconnected Pontoons 

Oceans of Energy has taken the initiative to create the BAMBOO consortium. The objective of this consortium is to tackle the barriers for a sustainable, large-scale offshore Floating PhotoVoltaics (FPV) system of 1 km²/150 MW. The concept of Oceans of Energy is a modular system consisting of interconnected pontoons. The wave induced response of shallow draft interconnect pontoons in general has been investigated by means of analytical derivations, diffraction analysis, CFD and model tests. The focus of this work is to understand the wave frequent motions and axial interconnector loads. It can be concluded that expanding an array by adding more pontoons will significantly reduce the wave frequent horizontal motions, which leads to lower variations in mooring line tension. The derived analytical formula for wave frequent horizontal motions is in good agreement with results from diffraction software and model tests. The associated axial connector loads are related to the stiffness and damping of the system. For stiff systems, the wave frequent axial connector loads are varying between zero and F = 2 ρgBT ζ_a, depending on the L / λ ratio. The axial loading pattern for lower axial stiffness values looks similar to the stiff solution, with dynamic amplification around the natural frequencies of axial vibrations. An analytical solution is derived for the axial natural frequencies and axial loading patterns. This solution is in good agreement with diffraction software and model tests.

Presenting Author: William Otto MARIN

Presenting Author Biography: test