Bio-inspired semi-submersible platform for improving the hydrodynamic stability of floating vertical-axis wind turbines
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Published Version
Date
2026-08-15
Authors
Liu, Kunpeng
Huang, Haoda
Liu, Qingsong
Zhang, Qiang
Li, Chun
Iglesias, Gregorio
Wang, Jin
Bashir, Musa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Published Version
Abstract
Floating vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) offer high power density, directional insensitivity and convenient operation and maintenance; however, their large power fluctuations and limited survivability under extreme sea states hinder utility-scale deployment. To address these challenges, this study proposes a water hyacinth (WH)-inspired semi-submersible platform incorporating biomimetic buoyancy chambers parameterized using Bézier curves. Three configurations (WHS, WHM, and WHL) are developed and evaluated using a Dynamic Fluid-Body Interaction (DFBI) approach coupled with a Volume of Fluid (VOF) model under combined wind-wave loading. The biomimetic geometry modifies the added-mass distribution, hydrodynamic damping, and local flow structures around the platform, leading to reductions of up to 16.3%, 15.5%, and 15.0% in the dominant surge, heave, and pitch responses, respectively. Among the three configurations, WHM exhibits the most balanced hydrodynamic performance. Further comparisons with spherical, cylindrical, and disc-shaped buoyancy structures of equivalent volume demonstrate that the improved stability originates from the biomimetic morphology rather than buoyancy enhancement alone. When integrated into a floating VAWT system, the WHM platform reduces surge, heave, and pitch responses by 0.8%, 11%, and 10%, respectively, while decreasing the power spectral density of the power coefficient by approximately 18.6%. Overall, the proposed WH-inspired platform provides an effective passive strategy for improving the hydrodynamic stability and smoothing power output of floating VAWTs.
Description
Keywords
Bio-inspired , Computational fluid dynamics , Coupled aero-hydrodynamic analysis , Floating vertical axis wind turbine , Semi-submersible platform , [EngineeringArchitecture] , [MaREI]
Citation
Liu, K, Huang, H, Liu, Q, Zhang, Q, Li, C, Iglesias, G, Wang, J & Bashir, M 2026, 'Bio-inspired semi-submersible platform for improving the hydrodynamic stability of floating vertical-axis wind turbines', Ocean Engineering, vol. 363, no. P1, 126575, pp. 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2026.126575