The findings of Phase 1 identified that moorings are still a significant challenge in the design and operation of floating marine energy converters. Their behaviour, when used in arrays of wave energy converters under the joint action of waves, current and wind, has not been fully investigated. This work stream will further develop and validate numerical hydrodynamic and mechanical models of a range of mooring systems to investigate the effects of their passive response within a combined wave and tidal environment.

This work stream will also examine the combined response of taut systems and deep-moored tidal devices. Mooring responses will be measured in the field under combined wave and tidal current action and compared with numerical models. The results obtained will be used to predict long-term effects of combined loadings on survival and make an assessment of suitable generic mooring configurations
for array deployment.