Marine hydrokinetic devices, which convert ocean currents, tides, and waves into electricity, are a promising resource for renewable energy. However, these devices are vulnerable to damage from extreme weather, such as hurricanes and tropical storms. "The same currents and waves that allow hydrokinetic devices to generate electricity can also damage the devices during extreme weather events," explained Anderson de Queiroz, co-author of the research paper and associate professor at NC State. For instance, high winds could generate waves that may dislodge these devices from their mooring systems.
"Marine hydrokinetic energy projects are expensive to initiate," added Mo Gabr, co-author and Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering at NC State. Developers must conduct thorough risk assessments for insurance and permit applications, and fragility curve estimates are essential in this process. These estimates help determine how much force marine hydrokinetic devices can endure before suffering damage due to system failure.
The new tool allows developers to estimate the fragility curves for specific projects based on characteristics like the devices' design and the environmental conditions at the site. It also incorporates a hydrodynamic simulation to model how the systems will react to varying currents and wind speeds, helping to improve the design and durability of these systems.
Researchers have developed software that allows users to input detailed data, including ocean currents, wind speeds, and device specifications, to calculate the likelihood of system failure. "You could use this tool to determine whether your device would likely break loose during a 100-year storm," de Queiroz explained. Users can also simulate different designs until they find a system capable of withstanding such extreme events.
The software will soon be available on GitHub, with the aim of advancing marine hydrokinetic energy technologies. "We hope our model will contribute to the success of marine hydrokinetic projects and the broader renewable energy sector," de Queiroz concluded.
Research Report:Bayesian Modeling and Mechanical Simulations for Fragility Curve Estimation of The Mooring System of Marine Hydrokinetic Devices
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