MoWE · Mooring of floating wave energy converters:numerical simulation and uncertainty quantification

Mooring of floating wave energy converters:numerical simulation and uncertainty quantification

The main goal of the MoWE is to obtain cheaper solutions and design procedures for mooring systems of wave energy converters (WECs), to lower the cost of ocean wave energy. For this we applied an approach based on numerical uncertainty quantification. We used (i) an uncertainty quantification (UQ) toolbox based on generalised polynomial chaos coupled to the mooring dynamics solver "MooDy", and (ii) performed detailed numerical investigation on the influence on snap-loads on the mooring design. This design approach was compared with the traditional deterministic approach (using safety factors). Our work demonstrated that deterministic design methods for mooring systems lead to solutions with probabilities of failure 10 times smaller than required by regulations, a clear over-design that can be improved. Additionally, we also demonstrated that the normal drag coefficient is the most important hydrodynamic parameter influencing snap and peak loads. The soil friction coefficient is the most important ground parameter, damping the propagation of internal waves within the cable, especially in high frequency cable motions. These results provide inform designers about the critical mooring design parameters.

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