Hydrodynamic response investigation of hybrid floating offshore wind turbine and oscillating water column systems

This article proposes an analytical method to suppress dynamic fluctuations in floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs), which can negatively affect efficiency, longevity, and energy capture. To minimize undesirable oscillations, specifically in pitch and tower-top fore-aft displacement, a rectangular barge structure with a matrix of oscillating water columns (OWCs) is proposed. The OWCs are equipped with air flux valves that manage airflow, regulating the platform’s motion caused by wave-induced oscillations. Response amplitude operators (RAOs) were employed to analyze behavior over a spectrum of wave frequencies, supporting the development of a dynamic valve control strategy. Compared with the uncontrolled rectangular platform, results show that the controlled OWCs matrix significantly improves the platform’s dynamic performance. The system dampened oscillations in a case study with a 7.5-s wave period, reducing the pitch angle by 48.08% and fore-aft displacement by 47.8%. These findings highlight the impact of the regulated OWCs in reducing the motion response and improving the hydrodynamic performance of the FOWT.