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Hydrodynamic Numerical Study of Regular Wave and Mooring Hinged Multi-Module Offshore Floating Photovoltaic Platforms

Author

Listed:
  • Ruijia Jin

    (Tianjin Research Institute of Water Transport Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory for Port Hydraulic Construction Technology, Tianjin 300456, China)

  • Bo Liu

    (Tianjin Research Institute of Water Transport Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory for Port Hydraulic Construction Technology, Tianjin 300456, China)

  • Xueqing Gu

    (College of Harbor, Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China)

  • Ming He

    (Tianjin Key Laboratory of Port and Ocean Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

Abstract

The floating photovoltaic (FPV) power generation technology in water has made up for some of the shortcomings of traditional inland photovoltaics and has developed rapidly in the past decade, enabling truly sustainable solar energy exploitation. Multi-module hinged offshore floating photovoltaics (OFPV) are widely used in the sea. However, how to ensure the survival of OFPVs in extreme natural environments is the biggest challenge for the implementation of the project in the future. The focus of this paper is the hydrodynamic problems that multi-module OFPV structures may encounter under regular waves. The effects of column spacing and heave plates were analyzed for a single FPV platform in order to obtain the ideal single module. Furthermore, the motion responses and inter-module forces of each module are calculated within the overall OFPV system under regular waves to investigate the overall hydrodynamic characteristics. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons between single and multi-modules are made for a deep understanding of this structure to ensure its sustainability. The corresponding conclusions can provide scientific references for multi-module OFPVs and the sustainable utilization of energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruijia Jin & Bo Liu & Xueqing Gu & Ming He, 2025. "Hydrodynamic Numerical Study of Regular Wave and Mooring Hinged Multi-Module Offshore Floating Photovoltaic Platforms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:18:p:8501-:d:1755151
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    References listed on IDEAS

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