Two-mode WEC-type attachment for wave energy extraction and reduction of hydroelastic response of pontoon-type VLFS

摘要

Proposed herein is a two-mode wave energy converter-type attachment to the fore edge of pontoon-type very large floating structures (VLFSs) for wave energy extraction and reduction of hydroelastic response. This attachment consists of floating horizontal and submerged vertical plates that are connected to the VLFS with hinges and linear power take-off systems. The use of both floating horizontal and submerged vertical plates combines the superior performances of floating plates in extracting wave energy from short waves (T 5 s) and of submerged vertical plates in extracting wave energy from intermediate and long waves (T 7 s). When deployed in sites where 5 s = T = 7 s, the two-mode attachment yields a larger power production than the sole usage of floating plates or the sole usage of submerged vertical plates. Interestingly, the two-mode attachment also combines the superior performance of submerged vertical plates in reducing hydroelastic response for relatively short waves (T = 7 s) and the superior performance of floating plates in reducing hydroelastic response for relatively long waves (T = 9 s). Moreover, this two-mode attachment furnishes a good balance between extracting wave energy and reducing hydroelastic response of VLFS for the same wave period.