Floating Breakwater Platform With Tuned Wave Damping for Wind Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating platforms for offshore renewable energy face challenges in integrating wave attenuation with marine energy power generation, leading to damage from waves and inefficiencies in power generation.
Innovation Solution
A floating platform integrating wave attenuation with marine energy power generation, comprising a breakwater with a double-cylindrical-box structure, a tuned damping wave energy converter, and an offshore floating wind turbine, where the breakwater provides a floating base for the wind turbine and wave energy converter, and the tuned damping wave energy converter converts wave energy into electrical energy while reducing vibration of the wind turbine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an offshore floating wind turbine is deployed to generate power, then power generation capability is improved, but the wind turbine is easily damaged by wave impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The breakwater serves as an intermediary structure between the ocean waves and the floating wind turbine. It absorbs and dissipates wave energy before the waves reach the turbine, thereby protecting the turbine from direct wave impacts while allowing the turbine to continue generating power offshore
Solution Approach 2:
The tuned damping wave energy converter converts the harmful wave energy into useful electrical energy. By tuning the natural frequency of the WEC to match the wave frequency, it efficiently captures wave energy and transforms it into electricity, turning the previously harmful wave action into a beneficial power source
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a breakwater structure is used to attenuate waves, then wave height is reduced and sheltered areas are created, but the structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges three separate functions into a single integrated floating platform: wave attenuation (breakwater), power generation (wind turbine and wave energy converter), and structural support. This combination reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate structures for each function, while still achieving effective wave height reduction
3Power
If the tuned damping wave energy converter is added to convert wave energy, then power generation from wave energy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floating platform is designed with multi-functionality, where the same structure serves multiple purposes: the breakwater provides wave attenuation and structural support, while also housing the wave energy converter and wind turbine for power generation. This universal design reduces the need for additional dedicated structures, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The platform effectively attenuates waves, protects coastal structures, and generates power from wind and wave energy, while reducing the vibration of the offshore floating wind turbine, thus ensuring stable power generation and improved safety for near-shore fisheries and shipping.
Implementation Method 1
the tuned damping wave energy converter converts wave energy into electrical energy, and hydraulic power generation damping systems of the tuned damping wave energy converter have a time lag during operation
Implementation Method 2
hydraulic power generation damping systems of the tuned damping wave energy converter have a time lag during operation, which tunes and reduces vibration of the offshore floating wind turbine
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a floating platform integrating wave attenuation with marine energy power generation and a working method thereof, the platform includes a breakwater, a tuned damping wave energy converter, and an offshore floating wind turbine. The breakwater includes double-cylindrical-boxes and connecting bulkheads, and a moon pool area is formed in a middle of the breakwater; the offshore floating wind turbine and the tuned damping wave energy converter are both connected to the breakwater through a connecting rod. A circular groove is formed on an inner side of each of the connecting bulkheads of the breakwater. The breakwater provides the floating base and power generation environment for the offshore floating wind turbine and the tuned damping wave energy converter, and a plurality of the tuned damping wave energy converters can be disposed, and are evenly distributed beneath the offshore floating wind turbine.