Oscillating Wave Surge Converter-Type Attachment for Extracting Wave Energy While Reducing Hydroelastic Responses of Very Large Floating Structures

Abstract

This paper presents an oscillating wave surge converter (OWSC)-type attachment, comprising a submerged vertical flap connected to the fore edge of a very large floating structure (VLFS) with hinges and linear power take-off (PTO) systems, for extracting wave energy while reducing hydroelastic responses of VLFS. In terms of reductions in hydroelastic responses of VLFS, the OWSC-type attachment is better than the recently proposed raft wave energy converter (WEC)-type attachment for relatively short waves (T < 7 s) and better than the conventional anti-motion device comprising a submerged vertical flap rigidly connected to the fore edge of VLFS for all wave periods. Importantly, the horizontal wave force acting on the submerged flap for the OWSC-type attachment is smaller than that for the conventional anti-motion device, leading to a more economical mooring system. In terms of wave energy extraction, the OWSC-type attachment is better than the raft WEC-type attachment for intermediate and long waves (T ≥ 7 s). In addition, for maximizing power production, the required flap length for the OWSC-type attachment is much smaller than the required pontoon length for the raft WEC-type attachment (about λ/10 as compared to about λ/3, where λ is the incident wavelength).