To advance offshore wind energy technologies in South America, this study addresses the early-stage design challenges of a floating support structure for a 5 MW wind turbine. The aim is to develop a robust and efficient floating structure capable of withstanding the diverse forces imposed by the Valdivian environment. Utilizing SolidWorks, a 3D model based on a comprehensive review of semi-submersible structures with three columns is proposed. The structural model is subjected to a rigorous evaluation using the finite element method, with which linear static and buckling analyses are performed in compliance with the Det Norske Veritas (DNV) classification society. The proposed tri-floater platform design shows a 30% weight reduction when compared with other proposed models. The finite element analysis includes an extreme condition of 13 m waves that suggests the adequate performance of the proposed platform in Chilean waters, and offers a conceptual preliminary step for floating support structure designs in Chile.

Current advances in wave energy technologies have enabled the development of new integrated measurement platforms powered by the energy of wave motion. Instrumentation is now being deployed for the long-term observation of the coastal ocean, with the objectives of analyzing the performance of wave energy converters (WECs) and studying their interactions with the surrounding environment and marine life. In this work, we present the most relevant findings of the installation and initial operation of the Open Sea Lab (OSL), the first coastal observatory in Latin America powered entirely by a WEC device. We evaluated the preliminary data regarding the combined operation of the system, the generation of energy, and the observations obtained by the continuous monitoring of physical variables at the site. The data showed the seasonal variability of the energy produced by the WEC for a range of wave heights during the period of observation. We also investigated the rapid development of biofouling on mooring lines, junction boxes, and other parts of the system, which is characteristic of the settlement and growth of organisms in this ocean region. These analyses show how this new facility will advance our understanding of the coastal environment in the south Pacific Ocean and foster new interdisciplinary collaborations addressing environmental and technical challenges, thereby contributing to the development of wave energy on the continent.

The goal of this study is to analyze the hydrodynamic behavior of a Floating Wind Platform (FOWT) under regular wave conditions. The analysis considers three degrees of freedom: Heave, Pitch and Surge. The study was car-ried out using a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) tool, based on the Navier-Stokes equations and the Finite Volume Method, and results were compared against experimental tests performed at the Wave/Towing Tank at Universidad Austral de Chile (CEH-UACh). For this analysis, a generic scales semi-submersible platform was used under different regular wave conditions, obtain-ing wave height data at different points of the control volume and translation and rotation movements to obtain the RAO's (Response Amplitude Operator) in each of the considered degrees of freedom. For the CFD simulations, commercial software STAR CCM+ was used, where the flow characteristics were defined through Volume of Fluid (VOF) and their respective boundary conditions. Final-ly, the results of both methodologies were compared, showing an adequate de-gree of correlation between them.

Operation and maintenance (O&M) are fundamental aspects to study in offshore renewable energy (ORE) projects, due to high economic costs, operational difficulties involved and the immaturity of its development in emerging markets. In this study, a geo-referenced, time-domain discrete event simulation tool is presented, designed to evaluate the life cycle of ORE projects, evaluating different sites, technologies and O&M strategies at an early stage, to support decision-making of project developers and government entities. Using environmental (behind cast) and operational parameters (e.g. port closure criteria), the performance of devices at a site is evaluated, generating information about the energy production and downtime of devices and their effect on total energy production. Considering that maintenance is subject to environmental and operational limits for operations such as cargo handling or crew transfer, the current tool integrates the operational characteristics of both the device and the involved vessels, which are obtained from numerical simulations or model scale experiments. As an application example, a comparison of the effect of selecting monohull- or SWATH-type SOVs (service operations vessels) on a floating wind energy pilot project located in central Chile are presented.