Scale model study of basic functions of the cross-stream active mooring for marine current power systems

Abstract

The Cross-stream Active Mooring (CSAM) is a recently proposed concept for ocean current power generation featuring serial mooring of multiple submerged floating generator turbines on a long mooring tether with a set of hydro sails to stabilize and adjust the positions of the generator turbines in the sea. This research studies feasibility of deployment, stability under general sea conditions and capability of storm resistance and avoidance of the system through scale model tests and observations in conditions corresponding to the Kuroshio southeast of Taiwan. First, small scale models were designed, made and tested to achieve proper scaling of forces involved, including buoyancy, lifts, drags and thrusts resulted from the models in the flow. Next, single stage CSAM models were experimented to study the deployment angle in relation to sail pitch angle. Finally, multiple stages of models were connected into a CSAM linear array model and tested in a pool with a flow under different wave conditions. Tests and observations show that the model linear array was successfully deployed as designed, was basically not affected by waves in regular sea conditions and kept its formation in its storm avoidance mode under influences of waves of a 10-year recurrence typhoon.