Hinged very large floating structures for wave energy conversion and wind turbine foundation

In this work, we explore the concept of a hinged very large floating structure (VLFS) to support multiple wind turbines and extract wave energy through hinge motion. Wave energy extraction can complement wind energy generation at times when the turbine needs to be shut down due to low or high winds. With such hybrid platform, a stable power supply could be achieved for applications that require constant power, such as electrolysers for offshore hydrogen generation. Furthermore, multiple wind turbines in a single floating platform can represent a cost reduction in offshore installations and a reduced environmental impact through a reduction in mooring lines.