Physical Modelling of Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations for TRL (Technology Readiness Level) Studies

Modelling floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) is challenging due to the strong coupling between the aerodynamics of the turbine and the hydrodynamics of the floating platform. Physical testing at scale is faced with the additional challenge of the scaling mismatch between Froude number and Reynolds number due to working in the two fluid domains, air and water. In the drive for cost-reduction of floating wind energy, designers may be seeking to move towards high-fidelity numerical modelling as a substitute for physical testing. However, the numerical engineering tools typically used for FOWT modelling are considered as mid-fidelity to low-fidelity tools, and currently lack the level of accuracy required to do so. Furthermore, there is a lack of operational FOWT data available for further development and validation.High-fidelity tools, such as CFD, have greater accuracy but are cumbersome tools and still require validation. Physical scale model testing therefore continues to play an essential role in the development of FOWTs both as a source of validation data for numerical models and as an important development step along the path to commercialization of all platform concepts. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of both numerical modelling and physical FOWT scale model testing approaches and to provide guidance on the selection of the most appropriate approach (or combination of approaches). The current state-of-the-art will be discussed along with current research trends and areas for further investigation.

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“…The competing needs and relevance of high-fidelity and low-fidelity models exist in a wide range of TRLs. 15…”

Section: Numerical Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, when considering lifetime operations and maintenance aspects, 11 control, 12 or end of life decision‐making, 13,14 lower fidelity models can be of significance. The competing needs and relevance of high‐fidelity and low‐fidelity models exist in a wide range of TRLs 15 …”

Section: Numerical Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of modelling techniques for floating offshore wind turbines

et al. 2021

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“…Typical hazards in this region include (1) Slope failure, (2) Fluid seepage, (3) Earthquakes, (4) Volcanism, (5) Subsidence, (6) Bedforms, (7) Positive/Negative Reliefs, (8) Diapers, and (9) Faulting. Further details can be found in Ref.…”

Section: Electrical Cables Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 Copyright 2021, published by MDPI, Reproduced under terms of the CC-BY license. 7 Copyright 2021, published by MDPI mechanisms such as overall settlement, excessive rotation, and increased period of the system. Further details can be found in Amani et al 10 Lombardi and Bhattacharya 11 and Bhattacharya et al 6,12…”

Section: Liquefaction and Possible Hazardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hazard considerations in the vulnerability assessment of offshore wind farms in seismic zones

Bhattacharya

Amani

Prabhakaran

et al. 2022

Earthquake Engineering and Resilience

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Offshore wind power is increasingly becoming a mainstream energy source, and efforts are underway toward their construction in seismic zones. An offshore wind farm consists of generation assets (turbines) and transmission assets (substations and cables). Wind turbines are dynamically sensitive systems due to the proximity of their resonant frequency to that of loads considered in their analyses. Such farms are considered lifeline systems and need to remain operational even after large earthquakes. This study aims to discuss hazard considerations involved in the resilience assessment of offshore wind farms in seismic regions. The complexity of design increases with larger turbines installed in deeper waters, resulting in different types of foundations. In addition, Tsunami inundation is shown to be an important consideration for nearshore turbines.

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Strategy of scaled modeling for underwater shaking table tests on cylindrical marine structures under coupled earthquake and wave–current action: A review

Han,

Li,

Wang

et al. 2023

Earthquake Engineering and Resilience

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Marine structures located in earthquake‐prone areas may be subjected to coupled earthquake and wave–current action and the underwater shaking table (UST) model test is one of the most effective methods to investigate the dynamic responses of them. However, the strategy of scaled modeling, including the selection of similitude criterion and the implementation of it, plays an important role in the test design, and hence influences the accuracy of response predictions of the prototype. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the strategy of scaled modeling utilized in UST model tests on marine structures subjected to coupled earthquake and wave–current action. The key performance parameters of USTs in service and being built in the world are first introduced. Then, the strategies of scaled modeling adopted in existing UST model tests of bridges, offshore wind turbines, submarine pipelines, and submerged floating tunnels are summarized. Following this, the applicability of current similitude criteria for UST model tests for different research focuses is fully discussed and the specific measure to realize the similitude criteria is concluded. Finally, recommendations for future work on similitude criteria are set out, providing insights into the improvements of the applicability and accuracy of the similitude criteria for UST model tests.

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Physical Modelling of Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations for TRL (Technology Readiness Level) Studies

Cited by 36 publications

References 58 publications

A review of modelling techniques for floating offshore wind turbines

A review of modelling techniques for floating offshore wind turbines

Hazard considerations in the vulnerability assessment of offshore wind farms in seismic zones

Strategy of scaled modeling for underwater shaking table tests on cylindrical marine structures under coupled earthquake and wave–current action: A review

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