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

Submission Number: 157079

Influence of Geometrical Characteristics of Cylindrical Floater on the Dynamic Responses of Floating Solar Platforms Under Irregular Waves 

This study compares the hydrodynamic responses of double-cylinder floating solar platforms under irregular wave conditions, for various geometrical properties such as cylinder arrangement, diameter, and gap distance. Formerly, a numerical model, developed in OpenFOAM was validated with experimental data for monochromatic waves (Baruah et al., 2024). The Volume of Fluid (VOF) method was employed to capture the air-water interface, while active wave absorption techniques were used to provide effective wave-maker functions and minimize wave reflection within the computational domain. Hence, the numerical model is deployed to determine the dynamics of floating structures exposed to the JONSWAP spectrum, examining a range of geometric configurations. Numerical results show that the double-cylinder platform consistently reduces heave responses, enhancing stability through increased damping effects, but experiences higher surge forces due to greater horizontal loading. Increasing cylinder diameter amplifies heave and pitch responses due to amplified hydrodynamic interaction and non-linear excitations. Gap distance variations significantly influence wave-induced responses such that shorter gaps intensify heave and pitch whereas longer gaps provoke higher-order peaks and complex spectral behaviour respectively. Surge responses demonstrate a subtle relationship, with certain gap distances leading to amplified forces near resonant wavelengths of incoming waves. These findings highlight the importance of geometric optimization in enhancing the stability and resilience of floating solar platforms for diverse marine environments.

Presenting Author: Gautam Baruah Queens University Belfast

Presenting Author Biography: I am currently in my third year of my Ph.D. pursuing a degree in Civil engineering at the School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen's University Belfast. My areas of interest are Offshore and Marine Engineering, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Wave Hydrodynamics and Floating Structures and Platforms.