Performance assessment of a novel active mooring system for load reduction in marine energy converters

Abstract

Mooring systems affect extreme and fatigue loading in moored wave and tidal stream energy converters driving reliability, device survival and energy extraction efficiency. A novel mooring system referred to as the Intelligent Active Mooring System (IAMS) combines a load-extension curve which can be actively varied in response to the prevailing met-ocean conditions with a high minimum breaking load. Prototype test results demonstrate the working principle and validate the performance characteristics. The tests have established the component behaviour for different design settings and load profiles show that the system allows a wide range of response characteristics and reliable operation under single system failure mode. Numerical model studies comparing IAMS performance against existing solutions show potential for significant overall system cost reduction.