A hybrid floating wind-wave energy platform for minimum power baseload

Abstract

We develop a novel hybrid wind-wave energy platform for applications that require a minimum power baseload for continuous operation. The hybrid platform consists of three very large pontoons connected with mechanical hinges. The downstream pontoon carries a 5 MW wind turbine on deck. Wave energy is extracted trough hinge motion. By computing numerically a power matrix for wave energy conversion, and assuming mean power production for the wind turbine, we evaluate the performance of the hybrid platform. Rather than assessing performance in terms of power variability, performance is gauged by determining periods of time when the hybrid platform meets a minimum power threshold, in periods of time of absent wind power. The platform is assessed in three locations with different wind-wave correlation characteristics: One off the coast of Spain, one on the West and one on the East coast of Scotland. It is found that the platform has better performance in locations with high wave power density and low to intermediate wind-wave correlation indices. The hybrid concept, besides being modular and scalable, can meet the requirements of recently considered steady state applications to be deployed offshore. For example, hydrogen electrolysers, which require a minimum power supply for lasting operation.