Preliminary Investigation of the Mooring Line Tension of the Quad-Spar Tidal Current Power Plant Prior to Operation

Floating tidal current power plant is used to capture energy that is close to the sea surface. This technology is supported by a floating structure and mooring system. In this paper, the floating structure is of a quad-spar type. Therefore, the preliminary analysis of the mooring system was carried out to hold the quad-spar in its potential location. The configuration of the mooring system is catenary type consisting of four types of wire ropes. It was numerically investigated using the theory of motion of the floating structure. The numerical model shows that the maximum tension of mooring line 2 is much higher than that of mooring line 1. In addition, the maximum tension of mooring line 4 is greater than that of mooring line 3. The input load are wave of the direction of the quartering seas. The results of this analysis are used as a reference to maintain the quad-spar tidal current power plant. It provides the maximum tolerable tension to withstand the generator during operation.