ABSTRACT
This paper presents an experimental study performed on a 1:27 scale model, of two arrays of wave energy converters concentrically attached on an offshore floating platform with a simplified wind turbine on top. The study is dedicated to the search of the most suitable configurations of power take-offs, damping and stiffness parameters, for an effective stabilization of the platform pitching motions at different sea and wind conditions. The results reveal that the most effective configuration is based on the utilization of converters at the platform upwind and downwind locations with their power take-offs set to absorption and reactive modes, respectively. The downwind converters operate mainly to control the platform pitching motions and without adjustments in the distribution of water through the platform ballast tanks, to create restoring moments to counterbalance the wind turning ones. This is more evident at extreme operational sea and wind states when the platform is unstable after removing the array and adding ballast water.
