A Novel V-Shaped Semi-Submersible Floater for Collocation of Wind Turbine and Wave Energy Converters

Offshore wind and wave energy have emerged as promising alternatives due to their abundant availability and substantial energy potential. This research explores a V-shaped semi-submersible platform designed to support both wind turbines and wave energy converters (WECs). The V-shaped configuration is selected for its ability to enhance hydrodynamic performance by reducing wave-induced loads and improving motion characteristics, while also providing increased structural stability through a wider effective footprint. In addition, the geometry creates a favourable layout for integrating WECs between the pontoons, enabling efficient wave energy capture without significantly interfering with the aerodynamic performance of the wind turbine. The study assesses the performance of different V-shaped platform configurations, ensuring their motion responses meet the operational limits required for wind turbines. It also examines whether interactions between the platform and coexisting WECs can lead to an improvement in wave energy absorption efficiency. Numerical hydrodynamic diffraction was conducted using the boundary element method in ANSYS AQWA, based on 3D potential flow theory and considering viscous damping effects, to calculate platform motion and the wave power output of WECs with a linear power take-off system. Preliminary analyses revealed that optimising the placement of WECs on a V-shaped semi-submersible can significantly improve energy generation while maintaining acceptable platform motion. This research demonstrates the additional potential of integrated wind-wave energy systems in delivering efficient and sustainable offshore energy solutions. The study also highlights the advantages of a turret mooring system for passive alignment with environmental forces, prolonging platform structure longevity and enhancing energy efficiency.