The Effect of Fixed Pile Platform Integration on Point Absorber Device Performance for Wave Energy Utilization

Offshore platforms in Indonesia play a vital role in meeting energy demands; however, prolonged reliance on fossil fuels exacerbates environmental risks, notably from greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning to renewable energy is therefore essential, with decommissioning of aging platforms being one viable pathway. Yet, this process faces considerable challenges due to stringent regulations and high costs. This study proposes an alternative approach by repurposing fixed pile offshore platforms for wave energy harvesting. Numerical simulation was performed on a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) type of Point Absorber (PA) coupled with a fixed pile platform, assessing three floater geometries: (a) Wider Trapezoid, (b) Trapezoid, and (c) Wider Cylinder, under regular wave conditions. Key performance metrics, including the Response Amplitude Operator (RAO) and power output, were analyzed. Results show that the Wider Cylinder design produced the highest power output in both configurations, achieving 300 W with pile integration and 200 W without integration. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of integrating fixed pile platforms with PA-WEC systems, while highlighting the need for further geometric optimization to maximize energy capture and efficiency.