Integration of wave energy converters within floating offshore structures

Integration of Ocean Renewable Energy (ORE) devices within multi-use maritime structures stands as onepotentially effective method to reduce the high Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) currently associated withthe sector. Integration within fixed structures such as breakwaters and sea-walls are feasible, but this is verymuch depth limited from an economic standpoint. The integration of ORE devices into floating structures allowsfor deployment in locations within both nearshore and offshore zones, where industries such as aquacultureand offshore wind are targeting in the next steps of their development.This paper provides a summary of an experimental proof-of-concept investigation of a generic floatingbreakwater integrated with multiple Oscillating Water Column (OWC) wave energy converter devices. Theinvestigation evaluates the performance of both the OWC devices and the breakwater for their respectivepurposes in both regular and irregular sea states. Parameters including device configuration, breakwater width,pneumatic damping and incident heading are investigated to establish the performance feasibility of such aconcept. The results of the experimental investigation show benefits to the motions and transmissioncharacteristics of the floating breakwater through OWC device integration, along with positive energy extractioncapacities for the installed devices. The negative device interaction observed when installed with low spacingbetween devices and the subsequent performance enhancement through increased device spacing were keyfindings. These results provide a foundation for future development in floating structure integrated wave energydevices as the research looks towards mooring arrangements and array configurations of devices. The deviceapplications are targeted at the offshore aquaculture industry as a form of energy generation andmaterial/consumable storage solutions, along with multi-device coupling between floating offshore windstructures and wave energy converters.