Advancements and Challenges in Marine Renewable Energy and Marine Structures

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid advancements in marine renewable energy and offshore structures are transforming the way we harness energy from the ocean while also posing new technical and environmental challenges. As global interest in sustainable energy solutions continues to rise, research in marine renewable energy, ocean hydrodynamics, and offshore engineering has gained significant momentum. Understanding the complex interactions between marine structures and the ocean environment is crucial for improving the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of these systems and to contribute towards sustainable and more resilient societies.

This topic aims to bring together cutting-edge research on marine renewable energy technologies and their integration with marine structures, focusing on both numerical and physical modeling approaches. We invite original contributions that explore innovative solutions to enhance the performance, durability, and resilience of offshore structures and renewable energy devices. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Marine renewable energy (wave, tidal, offshore wind, ocean thermal energy, etc.);
• Hydrodynamics and morphodynamics in the marine environment;
• Offshore structures and their interactions with oceanic conditions;
• Structural analysis of marine renewable energy systems;
• Advanced numerical and physical modeling techniques for marine structures;
• Materials and design innovations for offshore renewable energy applications;
• Coastal and offshore engineering challenges;
• Marine environmental impact assessments and sustainability;
• Experimental testing and field studies of marine energy devices;
• Ocean energy resource assessment and optimization;
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models applied to marine renewable energy and maritime engineering;
• AI-driven predictive maintenance and fault detection for offshore structures;
• Data-driven approaches for optimizing ocean energy harvesting and hydrodynamic modeling.

This topic provides a platform for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to share the latest findings, address challenges, and drive innovation in marine renewable energy and offshore structures. We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.

Prof. Dr. Tiago Fazeres Ferradosa
Prof. Dr. Mario López Gallego
Prof. Dr. Paulo Jorge Rosa-Santos
Prof. Dr. Dawei Guan
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering jmse	2.8	5.0	2013	15.6 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	7.7	2009	19.3 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Energies energies	3.2	7.3	2008	16.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Inventions inventions	1.9	4.9	2016	21.8 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Processes processes	2.8	5.5	2013	16 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Open AccessProject Report

Laboratory Testing to Assess the Feasibility of Polyurethane Flat Belts for Marine Energy Applications

by Justin Panzarella, Scott Jenne and Andrew Simms

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(9), 1652; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13091652 - 28 Aug 2025

Viewed by 346

Abstract

Polyurethane flat belts have received limited scientific attention as load-bearing elements in marine energy systems, particularly in applications involving dynamic tensile and bending loads. This study evaluates their potential as a replacement for traditional wire ropes in marine energy applications, with a focus [...] Read more.

Polyurethane flat belts have received limited scientific attention as load-bearing elements in marine energy systems, particularly in applications involving dynamic tensile and bending loads. This study evaluates their potential as a replacement for traditional wire ropes in marine energy applications, with a focus on their ability to be integrated into winch-driven wave energy converters where bending and tensile stresses can make long-term operation difficult. Polyurethane belts are hypothesized to offer enhanced fatigue resistance due to their reduced thickness in the bending plane and therefore lower bending stresses. This research involves a series of tests utilizing the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) Large-Amplitude Motion Platform to replicate the dynamic conditions experienced by mooring lines of winch-based point-absorber-type marine energy converters. The conditions tested include unequal coiling and uncoiling tensions and load cases resulting from the device’s unconstrained movement relative to its anchor, such as twisting and off-axis loading. Results from this study show that polyurethane flat belts can achieve more than 198 percent of the fatigue life of a conventional wire rope under similar load profiles. The stress concentrations resulting from off-axis loading and cumulative twist beyond the system’s allowable limits have been identified as potential failure modes for flat belt mooring lines used in winch-driven wave energy converters deployed in ocean environments. To mitigate these risks, the use of anti-spin systems and fairleads designed to accommodate off-axis loading while limiting twist accumulation is recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advancements and Challenges in Marine Renewable Energy and Marine Structures)

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50 pages, 15489 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Scour in Riprap-Protected Monopiles and Hybrid Foundations

by João Chambel, Tiago Fazeres-Ferradosa, Mario Welzel, Francisco Taveira-Pinto and Pedro Lomónaco

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(9), 1639; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13091639 - 27 Aug 2025

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Abstract

As the demand for new sustainable solutions for harvesting energy increases, the offshore energy sector focuses on optimising well-established state-of-the-art solutions while striving for new innovative approaches. Hybrid foundation designs have introduced new challenges and raised questions regarding scour and effective countermeasures. To [...] Read more.

As the demand for new sustainable solutions for harvesting energy increases, the offshore energy sector focuses on optimising well-established state-of-the-art solutions while striving for new innovative approaches. Hybrid foundation designs have introduced new challenges and raised questions regarding scour and effective countermeasures. To further improve the knowledge regarding scour prediction, this paper presents and analyses the results from an experimental study behaviour of a riprap protection system for a monopile that determines and characterises scour on a flexible arrangement of overlapping sub-areas. The study was complemented by a novel series of tests using a hybrid foundation, where an oscillating surge wave energy converter (OSWEC) type was coupled to the monopile. Despite being submitted to similar hydrodynamic conditions, distinct differences in the scour rate and damage number (S_3D) were observed for both models. Although the OSWEC type contributed to local wave height attenuation (up to a 30% reduction on the leeward side of the hybrid monopile), its oscillatory motion severely aggravated scour, with measured damage rates two to three times higher than those observed in isolated monopiles. These results raise relevant questions about the applicability of existing design formulas for scour protection and underscore the necessity for revised criteria tailored to hybrid offshore foundations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advancements and Challenges in Marine Renewable Energy and Marine Structures)

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31 pages, 946 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Performance Analysis of a Floating Seawater Desalination Structure Based on Heat Pipes

by Juan J. Vallejo Tejero, María Martínez Gómez, Francisco J. Muñoz Gutiérrez and Alejandro Rodríguez Gómez

Inventions 2025, 10(4), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions10040072 - 14 Aug 2025

Viewed by 359

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive numerical simulation and thermal performance analysis of a novel modular floating solar still system, featuring integrated heat-pipe vacuum tube collectors, designed for seawater desalination. This innovative system—subject of International Patent Application WO 2023/062261 A1—not only aims to enhance [...] Read more.

This study presents a comprehensive numerical simulation and thermal performance analysis of a novel modular floating solar still system, featuring integrated heat-pipe vacuum tube collectors, designed for seawater desalination. This innovative system—subject of International Patent Application WO 2023/062261 A1—not only aims to enhance efficiency and scalability beyond traditional solar stills, but also addresses the significant environmental challenge of concentrated brine discharge inherent in conventional desalination methods. The study evolved from an initial theoretical model to a rigorous dynamic thermal model, validated using real hourly meteorological data from Málaga, Andalusia, Spain. This modelling approach was developed to quantify heat transfer mechanisms and accurately predict system performance. The refined hourly simulation forecasts an annual freshwater production of approximately 174 L per unit. Notably, a preliminary economic assessment estimates the Cost of Produced Water per Litre (CPL) at 0.7509 EUR/litre, establishing a valuable baseline for future optimisation. These findings underscore the critical importance of dynamic hourly simulations for realistic performance prediction and validate the technical and preliminary economic feasibility of this novel approach. The system’s projected output, modular floating design, and significant environmental advantages position it as a promising and sustainable solution for freshwater production, particularly in coastal regions and sensitive marine ecosystems. This work provides a solid foundation for future experimental validation, cost optimisation, and scalable implementation of renewable energy-driven desalination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advancements and Challenges in Marine Renewable Energy and Marine Structures)

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