Evidence points to increasing the development of floating wind turbines to unlock the full potential of worldwide wind-energy generation. Barge-type floating wind turbines are of interest because of their shallow draft, structural simplicity, and moonpool-damping effect. Based on the BEM potential flow method, this study uses ANSYS-AQWA software to create a floating-barge moonpool platform model equipped with an OC5 NREL 5 MW wind turbine, to study the effect of the damping lid method on the resonance of the moonpool gap water, the wind–wave coupling effect, and the dynamic response of the FOWT and mooring system after single-line and double-line failure. The results show that the damping lid method, based on the potential flow theory, can effectively correct the effect caused by the lack of viscosity; the effect of a single breakage of upwind mooring lines on the motion is mainly in the sway and yaw modes, and after mooring line 8 breaks, the maximum tension of the adjacent mooring line increases by 2.91 times compared to the intact condition, which is 58.9% of the minimum breaking strength; and the breakage of two mooring lines located at one corner leads to a surge drift of up to 436.7 m and a cascading failure phenomenon.

The dynamical modeling and power optimization of floating wind–wave platforms, especially in regard to configurations based on constrained floating multi-body systems, lack in-depth systematic investigation. In this study, a floating wind-flap platform consisting of a flap-type wave energy converter and a floating offshore wind turbine is solved in the frequency domain considering the mechanical and hydrodynamic couplings of floating multi-body geometries and a model that suits the constraints of the hinge connection, which can accurately calculate the frequency domain dynamic response of the flap-type WEC. The results are compared with bottom-fixed flap-type wave energy converters in the absence of coupling with a floating wind platform. Moreover, combined with traditional optimization methods of power take-off systems for wave energy conversion, an optimization method is developed to suit the requirements of floating wind-flap platform configurations. The results are drawn for a specific operation site in the South China Sea, whereas a sensitivity analysis of the parameters is performed. It is found that the floating wind-flap platform has better wave energy absorption performance in the low-frequency range than the bottom-fixed flap-type wave energy converter; the average power generation in the low-frequency range can increase by up to 150 kW, mainly due to constructive hydrodynamic interactions, though it significantly fluctuates from the sea waves’ frequency range to the high-frequency range. Based on spectral analysis, operational results are drawn for irregular sea states, and the expected power for both types of flap-type WECs is around 30 kW, which points to a similar wave energy absorption performance when comparing the bottom-fixed flap with the flap within the hybrid configuration.

The performance of a tidal stream turbine array can be affected by numerous factors. Investigating the connection between array power production and these factors will be helpful in improving the development of tidal stream energy. This study investigates the impact of array layout, turbine number, and yaw angles on turbine array performance using an open-source coastal ocean modelling system. The results show that the total power output of the turbine array rises with the number of turbines. Under realistic conditions, there are not many differences in power output between aligned and staggered turbine array configurations. By extending the distance between the turbines, the array power output can be improved in both layouts. It appears that considering each turbine’s yaw angle can improve array power generation, since the downstream turbines will greatly benefit from the steering wake of the upstream turbines. Furthermore, using a gradient-based optimization algorithm to simultaneously adjust the yaw angles and turbine positions will boost the turbine array’s efficiency more than just optimizing the turbine position alone.

Floating vertical−axis wind turbines present unique advantages for deep−water offshore deployments, but their basin model testing encounters significant challenges in aerodynamic load simulation due to Reynolds scaling effects. While Froude−scaled experiments accurately replicate hydrodynamic behaviors, the drastic reduction in Reynolds numbers at the model scale leads to substantial discrepancies in aerodynamic forces compared to full−scale conditions. This study proposed two methodologies to address these challenges. Fully physical model tests adopt a “physical wind field + rotor model + floating foundation” approach, realistically simulating aerodynamic loads during rotor rotation. Semi−physical model tests employ a “numerical wind field + rotor model + physical floating foundation” configuration, where theoretical aerodynamic loads are obtained through numerical calculations and then reproduced using controllable actuator structures. For fully physical model tests, a blade reconstruction framework integrated airfoil optimization, chord length adjustments, and twist angle modifications through Taylor expansion−based sensitivity analysis. The method achieved thrust coefficient similarity across the operational tip−speed ratio range. For semi−physical tests, a cruciform−arranged rotor system with eight dynamically controlled rotors and constrained thrust allocation algorithms enabled the simultaneous reproduction of periodic streamwise/crosswind thrusts and vertical−axis torque. Numerical case studies demonstrated that the system effectively simulates six−degree−of−freedom aerodynamic loads under turbulent conditions while maintaining thrust variation rates below 9.3% between adjacent time steps. These solutions addressed VAWTs’ distinct aerodynamic complexities, including azimuth−dependent Reynolds number fluctuations and multidirectional force coupling, which conventional methods fail to accommodate. The developed techniques enhanced the fidelity of floating VAWT basin tests, providing critical experimental validation tools for emerging offshore wind technologies.

This study presents a novel semi-submersible platform design for 10 MW vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs), specifically engineered to address the compounded challenges of China’s intermediate-depth (40 m), typhoon-prone maritime environment. Unlike conventional horizontal-axis configurations, VAWTs impose unique demands due to omnidirectional wind reception, high aerodynamic load fluctuations, and substantial self-weight—factors exacerbated by short installation windows and complex hydrodynamic interactions. Through systematic scheme demonstration, we establish the optimal four-column configuration, resolving critical limitations of existing concepts in terms of water depth adaptability, stability, and fabrication economics. The integrated design features central turbine mounting, hexagonal pontoons for enhanced damping, and optimized ballast distribution, achieving a 3400-tonne steel mass (29% reduction vs. benchmarks). Comprehensive performance validation confirms exceptional survivability under 50-year typhoon conditions (Hs = 4.42 m, Uw = 54 m/s), limiting platform tilt to 8.02° (53% of allowable) and nacelle accelerations to 0.10 g (17% of structural limit). Hydrodynamic analysis reveals heave/pitch natural periods > 20 s, avoiding wave resonance (Tp = 7.64 s), while comparative assessment demonstrates 33% lower pitch RAOs than leading horizontal-axis platforms. The design achieves unprecedented synergy of typhoon resilience, motion performance, and cost-efficiency—validated by 29% steel savings—providing a technically and economically viable solution for megawatt-scale VAWT deployment in challenging seas.

This study investigates the feasibility of obtaining high-temperature (2000–2200 °C) measurements using thermionic emission from a W–La₂O₃ cathode in a low-pressure argon glow discharge environment. Compared to a vacuum environment, the cathode emission characteristics and temperature variation patterns in a plasma environment exhibit significant differences. These differences arise primarily from the competitive interplay between the thermionic emission cooling (TEC) effect and the ion bombardment heating (IBH) effect. Among the discharge parameters (temperature, applied bias voltage, and background pressure), the applied bias voltage is the key factor influencing this competitive interplay. Consequently, the cathode surface temperature exhibits three distinct regions as a function of bias voltage: the TEC-dominated region (10–20 V), the transition region (20–40 V), where TEC and IBH are nearly in equilibrium, and the IBH-dominated region (40–60 V). The results indicate that by adjusting the discharge parameters to place thermionic emission in the transition region, the TEC and IBH effects can be mutually offset. Under these conditions, the cathode temperature can be unambiguously determined from the measured emission current using the modified Schottky equation. This approach simplifies the functional relationship between emission current and temperature (J–T), thereby enabling high-temperature measurements to be obtained.