Compact floating wave energy converter arrays: Inter-device mooring connectivity and performance

Achieving cost reduction in wave energy conversion is seen as essential to enabling the progress of sector. At utility scale a farm, multiple devices are likely be deployed array configurations. Closely spaced, compact converter (WEC) arrays promising option for reduction, realising synergies operation and maintenance tasks auxiliary installations, whilst achieving economies scale. Mooring anchorage systems known major component structural costs, use interconnecting lines between neighbouring can reduce number anchors minimise total line length. In this paper, we present experimental study different configurations five-device spar-buoy oscillating-water-column converters basin, focusing on analysis power production performance. The compares performance single isolated device, an with independently-moored three inter-body connections, levels connectivity mooring arrangement. Results show considerable implications linked devices, interconnected yielding 75% increase annual extracted compared baseline (non-interconnected) enhancements primarily attributed moorings resulting greater heave motion at higher frequencies which phase relationship water column more beneficial. Evidence also presented that positive intra-array effects occur within when wavelength equal spacing.