Abstract
Compared to fixed tidal current turbines, the external loads acting on the floating tidal current turbines are more complex. There is considerable research value in the dynamic response of floating tidal current turbines coupled with carrier platforms. This study employs the commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software STAR- CCM+ to develop a numerical model of a floating tidal current turbine system, which includes a semi-submersible platform, a three-blade horizontal axis turbine, and mooring lines. The dynamic response of the system are investigated under the combined effects of waves and currents. The findings indicate that the 6-DOF motions of the floating platform result in heightened fluctuations in the hydrodynamic performance of the turbine and periodic shedding of its wake vortex. In addition, the presence of the turbine also has a significant impact on the motion of the floating system.