Marine current power with cross-stream active mooring: Part II

Abstract

This is the second of three papers that propose and study a new concept of mooring turbine generators with the aim of resolving key difficulties in realizing ocean current power generation. The concept of Cross-stream Active Mooring (CSAM) features a hydro sail system that allows deployment of generator turbines, from anchoring points on shore or on shallow seafloors, across current stream to access current core flowing over deep seas or over seabed not suitable for anchoring construction. The CSAM can increase system power capacity by changing horizontal positions of generator turbines to track meandering current core, and can also change system depth to avoid storms. New anchoring designs of improved efficiency and implementation methods for resolving seafloor geological issues in the Kuroshio off southeast Taiwan are also included. This second paper discusses conceptual design and construction of the tethers, mooring implementations and reduction of flow drag, mooring of power cable and design of linear array and 2D formation. Model tests were conducted to demonstrate and observe the feasibility of the basic concept and its stability. Formation stability under the influences of waves and other possible perturbations was analyzed and discussed.