Mooring Analysis of a Floating OWC Wave Energy Converter

This investigation focuses on the modelling of a floating oscillating water column (FOWC) wave energy converter with numerical code (ANSYS AQWA) based potential flow theory. Free-floating motions predicted by model were validated against experimental data extrapolated from 1:36 scale device in regular and irregular sea states. Upon validation, an assessment device’s when dynamically coupled four-line catenary mooring arrangement was conducted at different incident angles states ranging operational to survivable conditions, including simulation failure single line. The lack viscosity led overpredicted vicinity resonant frequencies; however, addition external linear damping coefficient shown be acceptable method mitigating these discrepancies. angle found have limited influence magnitudes heave, pitch, surge motions. Furthermore, obtained results indicated that restoring force is controlled forward lines under tested conditions.