PARAMETRIC OPTIMIZATION OF THE HULL AND MOORING SYSTEM OF FLOATING POWER HUBS FOR OFFSHORE OPERATION

• Grant number: 25/23834-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Naval and Oceanic Engineering - Design of Ships and Ocean Systems
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Nicolaos Simos
• Grantee: Viviane de Lima Noronha
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Politécnica (EP)
• Associated research grant: 22/03698-8 - OTIC Offshore Technology Innovation Centre, AP.PCPE

Abstract

The project proposes the development and application of a parametric optimization methodology for the structural sizing of the hull and mooring system of floating power-hubs for offshore operation, focusing on partial electrification scenarios of oil and gas production fields (brown fields). These power-hubs - floating units dedicated to energy generation and distribution - emerge as a strategic alternative to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with local power generation on platforms, representing a relevant advancement in the decarbonization process of the offshore industry. The study recognizes that traditional solutions based on local power generation by Gas Turbine Generators (GTGs) account for the largest share of direct emissions in offshore operations. The partial replacement of such generation by External Power Supply (EPS) systems - either through direct connection to the onshore grid (GRID), floating Power Hubs (PHUBs), or Floating Offshore Wind Farms (FOWFs) - has become a global trend. However, adopting these systems requires the development of stable, safe, and economically competitive floating platforms capable of supporting complex equipment, such as combined-cycle power modules and Post-Combustion Carbon Capture and Storage (PCCC/CCUS) units. The project stems from the observation that there remains a lack of systematic studies integrating energy, structural, and economic aspects of offshore electrification alternatives. Therefore, it aims to establish design guidelines that reconcile Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) reduction, emission mitigation, and structural reliability, considering the technical and economic constraints typical of brown field environments. The methodology is structured in six main stages: (i) review of technical literature and certification standards from classification societies (ABS, DNV, BV); (ii) survey of geometries and configurations of hulls and mooring systems suitable for the application, considering typologies such as semi-submersibles, barges, and monobuoys, as well as mooring arrangements (catenary and semi-taut); (iii) characterization of environmental and operational scenarios; (iv) adaptation and improvement of an optimization framework based on Genetic Algorithms (GAs) previously developed by the TPN-USP team for FOWTs; (v) execution of optimization processes; and (vi) dynamic simulations in specialized software to verify compliance with offshore certification criteria and to obtain robust and cost-effective preliminary designs. Expected outcomes include defining optimized configurations of hulls and mooring systems for different electrification scenarios and identifying correlations among hydrodynamic performance, structural loads, and cost indicators. Such results will contribute to advancing low-carbon offshore energy research, supporting design decisions and energy planning during the transition toward hybrid systems integrating renewable sources and carbon capture technologies. The planned scientific outputs include the publication of an article in an international journal, the presentation of results at conferences and symposia in the offshore engineering field, and the organization of a technical seminar at EPUSP, open to the interested public. Moreover, the research will foster the development of qualified human resources and enhance the researcher's expertise in Python programming, computational optimization, scientific writing, and dynamic analysis of offshore systems. Ultimately, the project aims to contribute to the development of innovative, safe, and sustainable solutions applicable to the electrification of offshore operations, reinforcing Brazil's role in global discussions on energy transition and deep-water decarbonization.