Dynamics of offshore floating wind turbines-analysis of three concepts

J. M. Jonkman, D. Matha

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

315 Scopus Citations

Abstract

This work presents a comprehensive dynamic-response analysis of three offshore floating wind turbine concepts. Models were composed of one 5 MW turbine supported on land and three 5 MW turbines located offshore on a tension leg platform, a spar buoy and a barge. A loads and stability analysis adhering to the procedures of international design standards was performed for each model using the fully coupled time domain aero-hydro-servo-elastic simulation tool FAST with AeroDyn and HydroDyn. The concepts are compared based on the calculated ultimate loads, fatigue loads and instabilities. The loads in the barge-supported turbine are the highest found for the three floating concepts. The differences in the loads between the tension leg platform-supported turbine and spar buoy-supported turbine are not significant, except for the loads in the tower, which are greater in the spar system. Instabilities in all systems also must be resolved. The results of this analysis will help resolve the fundamental design trade-offs between the floating-system concepts.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)557-569
Number of pages13
JournalWind Energy
Volume14
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-500-48495

Keywords

  • aero-hydro-servo-elastic analysis
  • barge
  • floating
  • offshore wind turbine
  • spar buoy
  • tension leg platform

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