Navigation Simulation of a VLMOS for Wind Power Generation

Using one year measured wind data and wave hind- cast data, we investigate the statistical property of the wind and waves in the EEZ of Japan and its surrounding area in which we assume VLMOS navigates. It is confirmed that the stochastic distribution of the wind speed and the significant wave height is approximated by the Weibulle distribution. In addition, we perform a navigation simulation of VLMOS in which we used 144 h wave forecast data to increase the generated power and not to meet the high sea. Using the simulation results, the stochastic distribution of wave height experienced by VLMOS is discussed. It is found that deformation of the stochastic distribution obtained from the sailing simulation has a relation with its capacity factor and it is quite reasonable. The result of the fatigue assessment shows that VLMOS seems to have enough fatigue strength for twenty year operation even if its capacity factor exceeds 40%.