Research Projects

This project focuses on the design, development, and validation of a hybrid wind-wave energy system tailored for offshore environments along India’s extensive coastline. By integrating wind turbines and wave energy converters (WECs) onto a single platform supported by fixed or floating substructures, the project aims to leverage the complementary nature of wind and wave resources to maximize energy output, stabilize power generation, and minimize infrastructure costs. The project initially involves selecting a suitable test site, determining hybrid energy system components, and identifying compatible offshore substructures. This analysis considers key factors such as wind and wave resource availability, water depth, environmental constraints, and proximity to infrastructure. The substructure selection process is equally crucial, as it determines the stability and adaptability of the hybrid system in offshore conditions. Fixed substructures, such as monopiles, are evaluated for shallow-water installations, while floating options like spar buoys are assessed for deeper waters. The coaxial WEC, a key component of the hybrid system, undergoes meticulous design and performance evaluation. Various geometric hull configurations are explored to optimize energy extraction efficiency. The selected configurations include cylindrical, cylinder-cone, cylinder-hemisphere, and cylinder-wave profile designs. Among these, the cylinder-wave profile design stands out due to its innovative geometry, inspired by fluid particle displacement equations derived from wave motion characteristics. Both linear frequency domain models and nonlinear CFD simulations are employed to evaluate the performance of these designs. These models account for factors such as wave amplitude, frequency, and viscous effects, providing a comprehensive understanding of the WEC’s behavior under various sea conditions. A linear hydraulic PTO is selected for its simplicity, reliability, and efficiency. This mechanism captures the oscillatory motion of the WEC and converts it into electricity through hydraulic systems. The findings from the numerical simulations are validated through a rigorous experimental testing phase, conducted in the wave basin facility at the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras. This facility provides a controlled environment for replicating offshore wave conditions, allowing for precise evaluation of the hybrid system's performance. Scaled models of the system, incorporating both fixed and floating substructures, are tested under various wave conditions, including normal and oblique waves with varying heights, frequencies, and directions. The experiments focus on assessing the energy extraction capabilities of the system, as well as its structural stability and dynamic response to wave-induced forces.