Browsing by Author "Wong, Anson"

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    A comparative experimental study on the hydrodynamic performance of two floating solar structures with a breakwater in waves
    (Elsevier, 2024-12) Yang, Yifeng; Mi, Chenhao; Ou, Binjian; Wong, Anson; Duffy, John Gordon; Wood, Tim; Utama, IKAP; Chen, Wenchuang; Huang, Luofeng
    Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) is considered as a highly promising clean energy solution. In recent years, FPV has been widely deployed in calm water around the world. However, to find available space for further expansion, FPV needs to be deployed in seas whilst the oceanic waves significantly influence the structural stability and energy performance. On one hand, wave loads may cause structural fatigue and damage. On the other hand, wave-induced rotations of a floating solar panel will vary its tilt angle to the sunlight and thus affect the power output. To explore the new research field of ocean-based FPV, this work first designed a novel catamaran FPV floater with a four-point mooring system. Comparative experiments were then conducted in a wave tank to compare its seakeeping ability with a conventional flat-plate floater. Besides, a breakwater structure was further introduced to enhance the stability of these two types of floaters. Detailed data on floater motions and mooring line forces were collected under monochromatic wave conditions. Extensive analysis was performed to evaluate the wave-mitigating performance of the breakwater, as well as the nonlinearity in the motion and force time histories. Overall, the work provides valuable experimental data and novel insights into the design of FPV floaters and breakwater protection, supporting long-term sustainability of FPV on the ocean.
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    A symmetric experimental study of the interaction between regular waves and a pontoon breakwater with novel fin attachments
    (MDPI, 2024-12-02) Lyu, Xiangcheng; Yang, Yifeng; Mi, Chenhao; Tang, Chi Man; Adeboye, Lukman; Farhan, Mohamed; Collins, Stan; Ou, Binjian; Wong, Anson; Duffy, John Gordon; Huang, Luofeng
    Floating breakwaters are widely applied on the ocean water surface to protect human infrastructure from the destructive power of waves. This study designs and investigates the performance of a novel symmetric-pontoon floating breakwater with a symmetric pair of hydrofoils. Based at the Cranfield Ocean Systems Laboratory, the system was constructed and tested in various wave conditions using different fin configurations. The floating structure was anchored using a symmetric four-point mooring system. The tested waves were regular and symmetric perpendicular to the propagating direction. Key parameters, including the attenuated wave amplitude, motions of the breakwater, and the mooring forces, were measured. The wave parameters utilised for testing covered 1.61–5.42 relative wavelength to structural length, with wave heights of 3 cm and 5 cm. Results showed the 90° fin configuration can reduce wave transmission by up to 74%, with the lowest mooring forces at 3.05 relative wavelength, enhancing the performance of wave energy dissipation and structural seakeeping. At 90° setup, the mooring force was lowest at 2.41 relative wavelength. This research can inform novel designs of breakwaters to improve protection abilities for coastal cities and offshore infrastructures, especially renewable energy systems.