A new method for structural safety and reliability analysis of offshore wind turbines

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-41
Author(s):  
Yingguang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Bandwidth Selection ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
New Method ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Contour Method ◽  
Structural Safety ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Structural Dynamic ◽  
First Order ◽  
Contour Lines

With the motivation to overcome the shortcomings of the Rosenblatt Inverse-First-Order Reliability environmental contour method, in this study, the use of bivariate kernel density estimation with smoothed cross-validation bandwidth selection method is proposed for generating more accurate environmental contour lines. The environmental contour lines at a chosen offshore site obtained by using the proposed new method were compared with those obtained by using the Rosenblatt Inverse-First-Order Reliability environmental contour method, and the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed new method have been fully and clearly substantiated. Next, the 50-year extreme structural dynamic responses of a monopile-supported 5MW offshore wind turbine installed at this chosen offshore site based on the proposed new method and the Rosenblatt Inverse-First-Order Reliability environmental contour approach were calculated. Analyzing the calculating results, it can be found that the 50-year extreme fore-aft shear force value based on the 50-year extreme sea state obtained using the proposed new method is 78.9% larger than the corresponding value obtained based on the Rosenblatt Inverse-First-Order Reliability contour method. The calculation results in this paper were further systematically analyzed and compared, and the necessity and importance of using more realistic environmental contour lines (such as those generated using the proposed new method) have been finally highlighted.

Model Test and Numerical Analysis of an Offshore Bottom Fixed Pentapod Wind Turbine Under Seismic Loads

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenhua Wang ◽  
Zhen Gao ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Torgeir Moan ◽  
Bin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Wave ◽  
Seismic Analysis ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Test Model ◽  
Structural Dynamic ◽  
Load Conditions

In the last decade the wind energy industry has developed rapidly in China, especially offshore. For a water depth less than 20m, monopile and multi-pile substructures (tripod, pentapod) are applied widely in offshore wind farms. Some wind farms in China are located in high seismicity regions, thus, the earthquake load may become the dominant load for offshore wind turbines. This paper deals with the seismic behavior of an offshore wind turbine (OWT) consisting of the NREL 5MW baseline wind turbine, a pentapod substructure and a pile foundation of a real offshore wind turbine in China. A test model of the OWT is designed based on the hydro-elastic similarity. Test cases of different load combinations are performed with the environmental conditions generated by the Joint Earthquake, Wave and Current Simulation System and the Simple Wind Field Generation System at Dalian University of Technology, China, in order to investigate the structural dynamic responses under different load conditions. In the tests, a circular disk is used to model the rotor-nacelle system, and a force gauge is fixed at the center of the disk to measure the wind forces during the tests. A series of accelerometers are arranged along the model tower and the pentapod piles, and strain gauges glued on the substructure members are intended to measure the structural dynamic responses. A finite element model of the complete wind turbine is also established in order to compare the theoretical results with the test data. The hydro-elastic similarity is validated based on the comparison of the measured dynamic characteristics and the results of the prototype modal analysis. The numerical results agree well with the experimental data. Based on the comparisons of the results, the effect of the wind and sea loads on the structural responses subjected to seismic is demonstrated, especially the influence on the global response of the structure. It is seen that the effect of the combined seismic, wind, wave and current load conditions can not be simply superimposed. Hence the interaction effect in the seismic analysis should be considered when the wind, wave and current loads have a non-negligible effect.

scholarly journals Effect of Wind Turbulence on Extreme Load Analysis of an Offshore Wind Turbine

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolu Chen ◽  
Zhiyu Jiang ◽  
Qinyuan Li ◽  
Ye Li
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Contour Method ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Extreme Response ◽  
Wind Turbulence ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Evaluation of dynamic responses under extreme environmental conditions is important for the structural design of offshore wind turbines. Previously, a modified environmental contour method has been proposed to estimate extreme responses. In the method, the joint distribution of environmental variables near the cut-out wind speed is used to derive the critical environmental conditions for a specified return period, and the turbulence intensity (TI) of wind is assumed to be a deterministic value. To address more realistic wind conditions, this paper considers the turbulence intensity as a stochastic variable and investigates the impact on the modified environmental contour. Aerodynamic simulations are run over a range of mean wind speeds at the hub height from 9–25 m/s and turbulence levels between 9%–15%. Dynamic responses of a monopile offshore wind turbine under extreme conditions were studied, and the importance of considering the uncertainties associated with wind turbulence is highlighted. A case of evaluating the extreme response for 50-year environmental contour is given as an example of including TI as an extra variant in environmental contour method. The result is compared with traditional method in which TI is set as a constant of 15%. It shows that taking TI into consideration based on probabilistic method produces a lower extreme response prediction.

scholarly journals Sensitivity Analysis of a Bottom Fixed Offshore Wind Turbine Using the Environmental Contour Method

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Barreto ◽  
Abdolmajid Moghtadaei ◽  
Madjid Karimirad ◽  
Arturo Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wave Height ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Stochastic Dynamics ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Contour Method ◽  
Exceedance Probability ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Peak Period

Abstract In the field of stochastic dynamics of marine structures, environmental conditions play a vital role. Considering wind and waves as random processes, determining the environmental parameters which correspond to an annual exceedance probability for a certain structural concept is of vital importance for the respective assessment of the loads and their effects. The accuracy in predicting the conditions, especially those corresponding to the sea, is of a great relevance when a probabilistic design is performed in order to ensure the structural integrity of an offshore wind turbine. In particular, models are not always completely perfect and accurate data is not always available. The Environmental Contour Method (ECM), which is based on the IFORM methodology, is one of the most popular methods in the offshore industry when determining the environmental conditions, for a given annual exceedance probability, is required. The ECM allows analysing proper sea states for operational and extreme conditions with lower computational efforts than the most accurate method (Full Long-Term Analysis). In the present study, effects of progressive variations (uncertainties) of the sea states parameters (i.e. significant wave height, spectral peak period) on the dynamic response of a Monopile Wind Turbine (NREL 5MW) are analysed. Two operative conditions are considered: rated wind and cut-out wind speed. In each case, the 50-year environmental contour (EC) is plotted for a site located in the North Sea. Some sea states are selected from the EC (base cases) and then derived cases with percentage variations are generated. All the cases are simulated in FAST (NREL) and the standard deviations of the time series are compared with its respective values of base cases. The results for the dynamic responses at mudline (e.g. overturning moments and shear forces) are presented as the most important parameters governing the design of the monopile. In this analysis, the wave height shows more influence on the response variation percentage than the peak period. This work shows the importance of accurately setting up the input parameters and their impact on the calculation of the dynamic responses.

Study on the Dynamic Response for Floating Foundation of Offshore Wind Turbine

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yougang Tang ◽  
Jun Hu ◽  
Liqin Liu
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Wave Load ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Floating Foundation ◽  
Wind Turbine System ◽  
Sea Area

The wind resources for ocean power generation are mostly distributed in sea areas with the distance of 5–50km from coastline, whose water depth are generally over 20m. To improve ocean power output and economic benefit of offshore wind farm, it is necessary to choose floating foundation for offshore wind turbine. According to the basic data of a 600kW wind turbine with a horizontal shaft, the tower, semi-submersible foundation and mooring system are designed in the 60-meter-deep sea area. Precise finite element models of the floating wind turbine system are established, including mooring lines, floating foundation, tower and wind turbine. Dynamic responses for the floating foundation of offshore wind turbine are investigated under wave load in frequency domain.

Experimental Investigation on the Dynamic Response of a Three Legged Articulated Type Offshore Wind Tower

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinsu Mereena Joy ◽  
Anitha Joseph ◽  
Lalu Mangal
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Ocean Engineering ◽  
Study Results

Demand for renewable energy sources is rapidly increasing since they are able to replace depleting fossil fuels and their capacity to act as a carbon neutral energy source. A substantial amount of such clean, renewable and reliable energy potential exists in offshore winds. The major engineering challenge in establishing an offshore wind energy facility is the design of a reliable and financially viable offshore support for the wind turbine tower. An economically feasible support for an offshore wind turbine is a compliant platform since it moves with wave forces and offer less resistance to them. Amongst the several compliant type offshore structures, articulated type is an innovative one. It is flexibly linked to the seafloor and can move along with the waves and restoring is achieved by large buoyancy force. This study focuses on the experimental investigations on the dynamic response of a three-legged articulated structure supporting a 5MW wind turbine. The experimental investigations are done on a 1: 60 scaled model in a 4m wide wave flume at the Department of Ocean Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. The tests were conducted for regular waves of various wave periods and wave heights and for various orientations of the platform. The dynamic responses are presented in the form of Response Amplitude Operators (RAO). The study results revealed that the proposed articulated structure is technically feasible in supporting an offshore wind turbine because the natural frequencies are away from ocean wave frequencies and the RAOs obtained are relatively small.

scholarly journals Mooring Line Damping Estimation for a Floating Wind Turbine

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongsheng Qiao ◽  
Jinping Ou
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Excitation Amplitude ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Floating Wind Turbine ◽  
Excitation Period

The dynamic responses of mooring line serve important functions in the station keeping of a floating wind turbine (FWT). Mooring line damping significantly influences the global motions of a FWT. This study investigates the estimation of mooring line damping on the basis of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory 5 MW offshore wind turbine model that is mounted on the ITI Energy barge. A numerical estimation method is derived from the energy absorption of a mooring line resulting from FWT motion. The method is validated by performing a 1/80 scale model test. Different parameter changes are analyzed for mooring line damping induced by horizontal and vertical motions. These parameters include excitation amplitude, excitation period, and drag coefficient. Results suggest that mooring line damping must be carefully considered in the FWT design.

Global Responses and Loads Analysis of a 750-kW Semi-Submersible Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Under Extreme Environmental Conditions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanh Dam Pham ◽  
Junbae Kim ◽  
Byoungcheon Seo ◽  
Rupesh Kumar ◽  
Youngjae Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
East Sea ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Test Model ◽  
Scaled Model ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Extreme Loads

Abstract A pilot floating offshore wind turbine project of Korea was proposed for installing in the East Sea of Korea. The prototype is a semisubmersible platform supporting a 750-kW wind turbine. A scaled model was tested in the basin tank of the University of Ulsan at scale ratio 1:40. The 750-kW floating offshore wind turbine was modeled by using the NREL-FAST code. Numerical results were validated by comparing with those of the test model. This paper analyzes dynamic responses and loads of the wind turbine system under extreme environmental conditions. Extreme environmental conditions based on metocean data of East Sea Korea. Extreme responses and extreme loads are important data for designing the structure of the 750 kW semi-submersible floating offshore wind turbine.

Dynamic Responses of a Spar Type Floating Offshore Wind Turbine With Failed Moorings

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yajun Ren ◽  
Vengatesan Venugopal
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Platform Motions

Abstract The complex dynamic characteristics of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs) have raised wider consideration, as they are likely to experience harsher environments and higher instabilities than the bottom fixed offshore wind turbines. Safer design of a mooring system is critical for floating offshore wind turbine structures for station keeping. Failure of mooring lines may lead to further destruction, such as significant changes to the platform’s location and possible collisions with a neighbouring platform and eventually complete loss of the turbine structure may occur. The present study focuses on the dynamic responses of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)’s OC3-Hywind spar type floating platform with a NREL offshore 5-MW baseline wind turbine under failed mooring conditions using the fully coupled numerical simulation tool FAST. The platform motions in surge, heave and pitch under multiple scenarios are calculated in time-domain. The results describing the FOWT motions in the form of response amplitude operators (RAOs) and spectral densities are presented and discussed in detail. The results indicate that the loss of the mooring system firstly leads to longdistance drift and changes in platform motions. The natural frequencies and the energy contents of the platform motion, the RAOs of the floating structures are affected by the mooring failure to different degrees.

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