Real-Time Hybrid Model Testing of a Semi-Submersible 10MW Floating Wind Turbine and Advances in the Test Method

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxime Thys ◽  
Valentin Chabaud ◽  
Thomas Sauder ◽  
Lene Eliassen ◽  
Lars O. Sæther ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Physical Model ◽  
Hybrid Model ◽  
Parallel Robot ◽  
Ocean Basin ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Load Application ◽  
Floating Wind Turbine

This article presents the Real-Time Hybrid Model (ReaTHM®) tests that were performed on a 10-MW semi-submersible floating wind turbine in the Ocean Basin at SINTEF Ocean in March 2018. The ReaTHM test method was used for the model tests to circumvent the limitations encountered when performing model tests with wind and waves. The physical model was subject to physical waves, while the rotor and tower loads were simulated in real-time and applied on the model by use of a cable-driven parallel robot. Recent advances in the ReaTHM test method allowed for extended testing possibilities and load application up to the 3p frequency and the first tower bending frequency.

scholarly journals Real-Time Hybrid Model Testing of a Braceless Semi-Submersible Wind Turbine: Part II — Experimental Results

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin E. Bachynski ◽  
Maxime Thys ◽  
Thomas Sauder ◽  
Valentin Chabaud ◽  
Lars Ove Sæther
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Hybrid Model ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Ocean Basin ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Aerodynamic Loads

Real-Time Hybrid Model (ReaTHM) tests of a braceless semi-submersible wind turbine were carried out at MARINTEK’s Ocean Basin in 2015. The tests sought to evaluate the performance of the floating wind turbine (FWT) structure in environmental conditions representative of the Northern North Sea. In order to do so, the tests employed a new hybrid testing method, wherein simulated aerodynamic loads were applied to the physical structure in the laboratory. The test method was found to work well, and is documented in [1]. The present work describes some of the experimental results. The test results showed a high level of repeatability, and permitted accurate investigation of the coupled responses of a FWT, including unique conditions such as blade pitch faults. For example, the influence of the wind turbine controller can be seen in decay tests in pitch and surge. In regular waves, aerodynamic loads due to constant wind had little influence on the structure motions (except for the mean offsets). Tests in irregular waves with and without turbulent wind are compared directly, and the influence of the wave-frequency motions on the aerodynamic damping of wind-induced low-frequency motions can be observed.

scholarly journals Real-Time Hybrid Model Testing of a Braceless Semi-Submersible Wind Turbine: Part I — The Hybrid Approach

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Sauder ◽  
Valentin Chabaud ◽  
Maxime Thys ◽  
Erin E. Bachynski ◽  
Lars Ove Sæther
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Physical Model ◽  
Hybrid Model ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Physical Modelling ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Ocean Basin ◽  
Model Testing ◽  
Aerodynamic Load

This article presents a method for performing Real-Time Hybrid Model testing (ReaTHM testing) of a floating wind turbine (FWT). The advantage of this method compared to the physical modelling of the wind in an ocean basin, is that it solves the Froude-Reynolds scaling conflict, which is a key issue in FWT testing. ReaTHM testing allows for more accurate testing also in transient conditions, or degraded conditions, which are not feasible yet with physical wind. The originality of the presented method lies in the fact that all aerodynamic load components of importance for the structure were identified and applied on the physical model, while in previous similar projects, only the aerodynamic thrust force was applied on the physical model. The way of applying the loads is also new. The article starts with a short review (mostly references) of ReaTHM testing when applied to other fields than marine technology. It then describes the design of the hybrid setup, its qualification, and discusses possible error sources and their quantification. The second part of the article [1] focuses on the performance of a braceless semi-submersible FWT, tested with the developed method. The third part [2] describes how the experimental data was used to calibrate a numerical model of the FWT.

Hybrid Model Tests for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxime Thys ◽  
Alessandro Fontanella ◽  
Federico Taruffi ◽  
Marco Belloli ◽  
Petter Andreas Berthelsen
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Hybrid Model ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Ocean Basin ◽  
Model Testing ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines

Abstract Model testing of offshore structures has been standard practice over the years and is often recommended in guidelines and required in certification rules. The standard objectives for model testing are final concept verification, where it is recommended to model the system as closely as possible, and numerical code calibration. Model testing of floating offshore wind turbines is complex due to the response depending on the aero-hydro-servo-elastic system, but also due to difficulties to perform model tests in a hydrodynamic facility with correctly scaled hydrodynamic, aerodynamic and inertial loads. The main limitations are due to the Froude-Reynolds scaling incompatibility, and the wind generation. An approach to solve these issues is by use of hybrid testing where the system is divided in a numerical and a physical substructure, interacting in real-time with each other. Depending on the objectives of the model tests, parts of a physical model of a FOWT can then be placed in a wind tunnel or an ocean basin, where the rest of the system is simulated. In the EU H2020 LIFES50+ project, hybrid model tests were performed in the wind tunnel at Politecnico di Milano, as well as in the ocean basin at SINTEF Ocean. The model tests in the wind tunnel were performed with a physical wind turbine positioned on top of a 6DOF position-controlled actuator, while the hydrodynamic loads and the motions of the support structure were simulated in real-time. For the tests in the ocean basin, a physical floater with tower subject to waves and current was used, while the simulated rotor loads were applied on the model by use of a force actuation system. The tests in both facilities are compared and recommendations on how to combine testing methodologies in an optimal way are discussed.

Comparison of Real-Time Hybrid Model Testing of a Braceless Semi-Submersible Wind Turbine and Numerical Simulations

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madjid Karimirad ◽  
Erin E. Bachynski ◽  
Petter Andreas Berthelsen ◽  
Harald Ormberg
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Hybrid Model ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Ocean Basin ◽  
Model Testing ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Scaled Model ◽  
Approximate Methods

In this paper, integrated analyses performed in SIMA are compared against experimental results obtained using real-time hybrid model testing (ReaTHM®) carried out in the ocean basin facilities of MARINTEK in October 2015. The experimental data is from a 1:30 scaled model of a semi-submersible wind turbine. Coupled aero-hydro-servo-elastic simulations are performed in MARINTEK’s SIMA software. The present work extends previous results from Berthelsen et al. [1] by including a blade element/momentum (BEM) model for the rotor forces in SIMA and comparing the coupled responses of the system to the experimental results. The previously presented hydrodynamic model is also further developed, and the importance of second order loads (and applicability of approximate methods for their calculations) is examined. Low-frequency hydrodynamic excitation and damping are seen to be important, but these loads include a combination of viscous and potential forces. For the selected concept, the second order potential flow forces have limited effects on the responses.

Model Tests of a Spar-Type Floating Wind Turbine Under Wind/Wave Loads

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Duan ◽  
Zhiqiang Hu ◽  
Jin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Model Test ◽  
Wind Wave ◽  
Wave Model ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Wave Loads ◽  
Scaled Model ◽  
Floating Wind Turbine ◽  
Wave Effects

Wind power has great potential because of its clean and renewable production compared to the traditional power. Most of the present researches for floating wind turbine rely on the hydro-aero-elastic-servo simulation codes and have not been exhaustively validated yet. Thus, model tests are needed and make sense for its high credibility to master the kinetic characters of floating offshore structures. The characters of kinetic responses of the spar-type wind turbine are investigated through model test research technique. This paper describes the methodology for wind/wave model test that carried out at Deepwater Offshore Basin in Shanghai Jiao Tong University at a scale of 1:50. A Spar-type floater was selected to support the wind turbine in this test and the model blade was geometrically scaled down from the original NREL 5 MW reference wind turbine blade. The detail of the scaled model of wind turbine and the floating supporter, the test set-up configuration, the mooring system, the high-quality wind generator that can create required homogeneous and low turbulence wind, and the instrumentations to capture loads, accelerations and 6 DOF motions are described in detail, respectively. The isolated wind/wave effects and the integrated wind-wave effects on the floating wind turbine are analyzed, according to the test results.

Real-Time Hybrid Model Tests of a Braceless Semi-Submersible Wind Turbine: Part III — Calibration of a Numerical Model

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petter Andreas Berthelsen ◽  
Erin E. Bachynski ◽  
Madjid Karimirad ◽  
Maxime Thys
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Numerical Model ◽  
Simulation Model ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Hybrid Model ◽  
Test Data ◽  
Viscous Drag ◽  
Drag Coefficients ◽  
Aerodynamic Loads

In this paper, a numerical model of a braceless semi-submersible floating wind turbine (FWT) is calibrated against model test data. Experimental data from a 1:30 scaled model tested at MARINTEK’s Ocean Basin in 2015 using real-time hybrid model testing (ReaTHM) is used for the calibration of the time-domain simulation model. In these tests, aerodynamic loads were simulated in real-time and applied to the physical model. The simulation model is based on the as-built model at full scale. The hull and turbine are considered as rigid, while bar elements are used to model the mooring system in a coupled finite element approach. Frequency-dependent added mass, radiation damping, and excitation forces/moments are evaluated using a panel method based on potential theory. Distributed viscous forces on the hull and mooring lines are added to the numerical model applying Morison’s equation. The viscous drag coefficients in Morison’s equation are calibrated against selected test data, including decay tests in calm water and test with irregular waves. Simulations show that the drag coefficients change when waves are present. Aerodynamic loads are included as time varying loads applied directly at the hub based on the actual physical loads from the experiment. This way, uncertainties related to the aerodynamic loads in the calibrations are removed. The calibrated numerical model shows good agreement with experimental data.

scholarly journals Model Test of a 1:8-Scale Floating Wind Turbine Offshore in the Gulf of Maine1

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony M. Viselli ◽  
Andrew J. Goupee ◽  
Habib J. Dagher
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Physical Model ◽  
Test Data ◽  
Model Test ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Scale Construction ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Testing Effort ◽  
Floating Wind Turbine

A new floating wind turbine platform design called VolturnUS developed by the University of Maine uses innovations in materials, construction, and deployment technologies such as a concrete semisubmersible hull and a composite tower to reduce the costs of offshore wind. These novel characteristics require research and development prior to full-scale construction. This paper presents a unique offshore model testing effort aimed at derisking full-scale commercial projects by providing scaled global motion data, allowing for testing of materials representative of the full-scale system, and demonstrating full-scale construction and deployment methods. A 1:8-scale model of a 6 MW semisubmersible floating wind turbine was deployed offshore Castine, ME, in June 2013. The model includes a fully operational commercial 20 kW wind turbine and was the first grid-connected offshore wind turbine in the U.S. The testing effort includes careful selection of the offshore test site, the commercial wind turbine that produces the correct aerodynamic thrust given the wind conditions at the test site, scaling methods, model design, and construction. A suitable test site was identified that produced scaled design load cases (DLCs) prescribed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Guide for Building and Classing Floating Offshore Wind Turbines. A turbine with a small rotor diameter was selected because it produces the correct thrust load given the wind conditions at the test site. Some representative data from the test are provided in this paper. Model test data are compared directly to full-scale design predictions made using coupled aeroelastic/hydrodynamic software. Scaled VolturnUS performance data during DLCs show excellent agreement with full-scale predictive models. Model test data are also compared directly without scaling against a numerical representation of the 1:8-scale physical model for the purposes of numerical code validation. The numerical model results compare favorably with data collected from the physical model.

Model Tests for Three Floating Wind Turbine Concepts

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Joseph Goupee ◽  
Bonjun Koo ◽  
Kostas Lambrakos ◽  
Richard Kimball
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Floating Wind Turbine

Development of a Scaled-Down Floating Wind Turbine for Offshore Basin Testing

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik-Jan de Ridder ◽  
William Otto ◽  
Gert-Jan Zondervan ◽  
Fons Huijs ◽  
Guilherme Vaz
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Velocity ◽  
Scaling Laws ◽  
Scale Effects ◽  
Model Testing ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Pitch Control ◽  
Model Scale ◽  
Floating Wind Turbine

In the last years MARIN has been involved in an increasing number of projects for the offshore wind industry. New techniques in model testing and numerical simulations have been developed in this field. In this paper the development of a scaled-down wind turbine operating on a floating offshore platform, similar to the well-known 5MW NREL wind turbine is discussed. To simulate the response of a floating wind turbine correctly it is important that the environmental loads due to wind, waves and current are in line with full scale. For dynamic similarity on model scale, Froude scaling laws are used successfully in the Offshore industry for the underwater loads. To be consistent with the underwater loads, the winds loads have to be scaled according to Froude as well. Previous model tests described by Robertson et al [1] showed that a geometrically-scaled turbine generated a lower thrust and power coefficient with a Froude-scaled wind velocity due to the strong Reynolds scale effects on the flow. To improve future model testing, a new scaling method for the wind turbine blades was developed originally by University of Maine, and here improved and applied. In this methodology, the objective is to obtain power and thrust coefficients which are similar to the full-scale turbine in Froude-scaled wind. This is obtained by changing the geometry of the blades in order to provide thrust equality between model and full scale, and can therefore be considered as a “performance scaling”. This method was then used to design and construct a new MARIN Stock Wind Turbine (MSWT) based on the NREL 5MW wind turbine blade, including an active blade pitch control to simulate different blade pitch control systems. MARIN’s high-quality wind setup in combination with the new model scale stock wind turbine was used for testing the GustoMSC Tri-Floater semi-submersible as presented in Figure 1, including an ECN active blade pitch control algorithm. From the model tests it was concluded that the measured thrust versus wind velocity characteristics of the new MSWT were in line with the full scale prediction and with CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) results.

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