scholarly journals Assessment of Practical Methods to Predict Accumulated Rotations of Monopile-Supported Offshore Wind Turbines in Cohesionless Ground Profiles

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3915
Author(s):  
Saleh Jalbi ◽  
Joseph Hilton ◽  
Luke Jacques
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Time History ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Scaled Model ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Applied Loading ◽  
Number Of Cycles

Monopiles supporting offshore wind turbines can experience permanent non-recoverable rotations (or displacements) during their lifetime due to the cyclic nature of hydrodynamic and aerodynamic loading exerted on them. Recent studies in the literature have demonstrated that conventional cyclic p–y curves recommended in different codes of practice (API-RP-2GEO and DNVGL-RP-C212) may not capture the effects of long-term cyclic loads as they are independent of the loading profile and the number of applied cycles. Several published methodologies based on laboratory scaled model tests (on sands) exist to determine the effect of cyclic lateral loads on the long-term behaviour of piles. The tests vary in terms of the pile behaviour (rigid or flexible pile), number of applied loading cycles, and the load profile (one-way or two-way loading). The best-fit curves provided by these tests offer practical and cost-efficient methods to quantify the accumulated rotations when compared to Finite Element Method. It is therefore desirable that such methods are further developed to take into account different soil types and the complex nature of the loading. The objective of this paper is to compare the performance of the available formulations under the actions of a typical 35-h (hour) storm as per the Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH) recommendations. Using classical rain flow counting, the loading time-history is discretized into load packets where each packet has a loading profile and number of cycles, which then enables the computation of an equivalent number of cycles of the largest load packet. The results show that the loading profile plays a detrimental role in the result of the accumulated rotation. Furthermore, flexibility of the pile also has an important effect on the response of the pile where predictions obtained from formulations based on flexible piles resulted in a much lower accumulated rotation than tests based on rigid piles. Finally, the findings of this paper are expected to contribute in the design and interpretation of future experimental frameworks for Offshore Wind Turbine (OWT) monopiles in sands, which will include a more realistic loading profile, number of cycles, and relative soil to pile stiffness.

Development of a CFD-CSD Coupling Technique for Large Scale Offshore Wind Turbines

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Auraluck Pichitkul ◽  
Lakshmi N. Sankar
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Time History ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Aerodynamic Loads ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines

Abstract Wind engineering technology has been continuously investigated and developed over the past several decades in response to steadily growing demand for renewable energy resources, in order to meet the increased demand for power production, fixed and floating platforms with different mooring configurations have been fielded, accommodating large-scale offshore wind turbines in deep water areas. In this study, the aerodynamic loads on such systems are modeled using a computational structural dynamics solver called OpenFAST developed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory, coupled to an in-house computational fluid dynamics solver called GT-Hybrid. Coupling of the structural/aerodynamic motion time history with the CFD analysis is done using an open File I/O process. At this writing, only a one-way coupling has been attempted, feeding the blade motion and structural deformations from OpenFAST into the fluid dynamics analysis. The sectional aerodynamic loads for a large scale 5 MW offshore wind turbine are presented, and compared against the baseline OpenFAST simulations with classical blade element-momentum theory. Encouraging agreement has been observed.

On the Modeling of Nonlinear Waves for Prediction of Long-Term Offshore Wind Turbine Loads

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Agarwal ◽  
L. Manuel
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Return Period ◽  
Wave Model ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Irregular Wave ◽  
Inflow Turbulence

In the design of wind turbines—onshore or offshore—the prediction of extreme loads associated with a target return period requires statistical extrapolation from available loads data. The data required for such extrapolation are obtained by stochastic time-domain simulation of the inflow turbulence, the incident waves, and the turbine response. Prediction of accurate loads depends on assumptions made in the simulation models employed. While for the wind, inflow turbulence models are relatively well established, for wave input, the current practice is to model irregular (random) waves using a linear wave theory. Such a wave model does not adequately represent waves in shallow waters where most offshore wind turbines are being sited. As an alternative to this less realistic wave model, the present study investigates the use of irregular nonlinear (second-order) waves for estimating loads on an offshore wind turbine, with a focus on the fore-aft tower bending moment at the mudline. We use a 5MW utility-scale wind turbine model for the simulations. Using, first, simpler linear irregular wave modeling assumptions, we establish long-term loads and identify governing environmental conditions (i.e., the wind speed and wave height) that are associated with the 20-year return period load derived using the inverse first-order reliability method. We present the nonlinear irregular wave model next and incorporate it into an integrated wind-wave-response simulation analysis program for offshore wind turbines. We compute turbine loads for the governing environmental conditions identified with the linear model and also for an extreme environmental state. We show that computed loads are generally larger with the nonlinear wave modeling assumptions; this establishes the importance of using such refined nonlinear wave models in stochastic simulation of the response of offshore wind turbines.

Numerical Prototyping of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines: Virtual Operation in Real Environmental Conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Milano ◽  
Christophe Peyrard ◽  
Matteo Capaldo
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Wind Wave ◽  
Fatigue Analysis ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Wave Direction ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Wave Conditions

Abstract The numerical fatigue analysis of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) must account for the environmental loading over a typical design life of 25 years, and the stochastic nature of wind and waves is represented by design load cases (DLCs). In this statistical approach, combinations of wind speeds and directions are associated with different sea states, commonly defined via simplified wave spectra (Pierson-Moskowitz, JONSWAP), and their probability of occurrence is identified based on past observations. However, little is known about the difference between discretizing the wind/wave direction bins into (e.g.) 10deg bins rather than 30deg bins, and the impact it has on FOWT analyses. In addition, there is an interest in identifying the parameters that best represent real sea states (significant wave height, peak period) and wind fields (profile, turbulence) in lumped load cases. In this context, the aim of this work is to better understand the uncertainties associated to wind/wave direction bin size and to the use of metocean parameters as opposed to real wind and sea state conditions. A computational model was developed in order to couple offshore wind turbine models with realistic numerical metocean models, referred to as numerical prototype due to the highly realistic wind/wave conditions in which it operates. This method allows the virtual installation of FOWTs anywhere within a considered spatial domain (e.g. the Mediterranean Sea or the North Sea) and their behaviour to be evaluated in measured wind and modelled wave conditions. The work presented in this paper compares the long-term dynamic behaviour of a tension-leg platform (TLP) FOWT design subject to the numerical prototype and to lumped load cases with different direction bin sizes. Different approaches to representing the wind filed are also investigated, and the modelling choices that have the greatest impact on the fidelity of lumped load cases are identified. The fatigue analysis suggests that 30deg direction bins are sufficient to reliably represent long-term wind/wave conditions, while the use of a constant surface roughness length (as suggested by the IEC standards) seems to significantly overestimate the cumulated damage on the tower of the FOWT.

Model Tests on the Long-Term Dynamic Performance of Offshore Wind Turbines Founded on Monopiles in Sand

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Guo ◽  
Luqing Yu ◽  
Lizhong Wang ◽  
S. Bhattacharya ◽  
G. Nikitas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Frequency Change ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Scaled Model ◽  
Structural Dynamic ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines

The dynamic response of the supporting structure is critical for the in-service stability and safety of offshore wind turbines (OWTs). The aim of this paper is to first illustrate the complexity of environmental loads acting on an OWT and reveal the significance of its structural dynamic response for the OWT safety. Second, it is aimed to investigate the long-term performance of the OWT founded on a monopile in dense sand. Therefore, a series of well-scaled model tests have been carried out, in which an innovative balance gear system was proposed and used to apply different types of dynamic loadings on a model OWT. Test results indicated that the natural frequency of the OWT in sand would increase as the number of applied cyclic loading went up, but the increasing rate of the frequency gradually decreases with the strain accumulation of soil around the monopile. This kind of the frequency change of OWT is thought to be dependent on the way how the OWT is cyclically loaded and the shear strain level of soil in the area adjacent to the pile foundation. In this paper, all test results were plotted in a nondimensional manner in order to be scaled up to predict the consequences for prototype OWT in sandy seabed.

On the Modeling of Nonlinear Waves for Prediction of Long-Term Offshore Wind Turbine Loads

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Agarwal ◽  
L. Manuel
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Return Period ◽  
Wave Model ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Irregular Wave ◽  
Inflow Turbulence

In the design of wind turbines—onshore or offshore—the prediction of extreme loads associated with a target return period requires statistical extrapolation from available loads data. The data required for such extrapolation are obtained by stochastic time-domain simulation of the inflow turbulence, the incident waves, and the turbine response. Prediction of accurate loads depends on assumptions made in the simulation models employed. While for the wind, inflow turbulence models are relatively well established; for wave input, the current practice is to model irregular (random) waves using a linear wave theory. Such a wave model does not adequately represent waves in shallow waters where most offshore wind turbines are being sited. As an alternative to this less realistic wave model, the present study investigates the use of irregular nonlinear (second-order) waves for estimating loads on an offshore wind turbine with a focus on the fore-aft tower bending moment at the mudline. We use a 5 MW utility-scale wind turbine model for the simulations. Using, first, simpler linear irregular wave modeling assumptions, we establish long-term loads and identify governing environmental conditions (i.e., the wind speed and wave height) that are associated with the 20-year return period load derived using the inverse first-order reliability method. We present the nonlinear irregular wave model next and incorporate it into an integrated wind-wave response simulation analysis program for offshore wind turbines. We compute turbine loads for the governing environmental conditions identified with the linear model and also for an extreme environmental state. We show that computed loads are generally larger with the nonlinear wave modeling assumptions; this establishes the importance of using such refined nonlinear wave models in stochastic simulation of the response of offshore wind turbines.

Modeling Nonlinear Irregular Waves in Reliability Studies for Offshore Wind Turbines

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Agarwal ◽  
L. Manuel
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
Support Structure ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Linear And Nonlinear ◽  
Wave Models

While addressing different load cases according to the IEC guidelines for offshore wind turbines, designers are required to estimate long-term extreme and fatigue loads; this is usually done by carrying out time-domain stochastic turbine response simulations. This involves simulation of the stochastic inflow wind field on the rotor plane, of irregular (random) waves on the support structure, and of the turbine response. Obtaining realistic response of the turbine depends, among other factors, on appropriate modeling of the incident wind and waves. The current practice for modeling waves on offshore wind turbines is limited to the representation of linear irregular waves. While such models are appropriate for deep waters, they are not accurate representations of waves in shallow waters where offshore wind turbines are most commonly sited. In shallow waters, waves are generally nonlinear in nature. It is, therefore, of interest to assess the influence of alternative wave models on the behavior of wind turbines (e.g., on the tower response) as well as on extrapolated long-term turbine loads. The expectation is that nonlinear (second-order) irregular waves can better describe waves in shallow waters. In this study, we investigate differences in turbine response statistics and in long-term load predictions that arise from the use of alternative wave models. We compute loads on the monopile support structure of a 5MW offshore wind turbine model for several representative environmental states where we focus on differences in estimates of the extreme tower bending moment at the mudline due to linear and nonlinear waves. Finally, we compare long-term load predictions using inverse reliability procedures with both the linear and nonlinear wave models. We present convergence criteria that may be used to establish accurate 20-year loads and discuss comparative influences of wind versus waves in long-term load prediction.

scholarly journals Experimental Validation of Aero-Hydro-Servo-Elastic Models of a Scaled Floating Offshore Wind Turbine

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasper Jessen ◽  
Kasper Laugesen ◽  
Signe M. Mortensen ◽  
Jesper K. Jensen ◽  
Mohsen N. Soltani
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Experimental Validation ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Scaled Model ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines

Floating offshore wind turbines are complex dynamical systems. The use of numerical models is an essential tool for the prediction of the fatigue life, ultimate loads and controller design. The simultaneous wind and wave loading on a non-stationary foundation with a flexible tower makes the development of numerical models difficult, the validation of these numerical models is a challenging task as the floating offshore wind turbine system is expensive and the testing of these may cause loss of the system. The validation of these numerical models is often made on scaled models of the floating offshore wind turbines, which are tested in scaled environmental conditions. In this study, an experimental validation of two numerical models for a floating offshore wind turbines will be conducted. The scaled model is a 1:35 Froude scaled 5 MW offshore wind turbine mounted on a tension-leg platform. The two numerical models are aero-hydro-servo-elastic models. The numerical models are a theoretical model developed in a MATLAB/Simulink environment by the authors, while the other model is developed in the turbine simulation tool FAST. A comparison between the numerical models and the experimental dynamics shows good agreement. Though some effects such as the periodic loading from rotor show a complexity, which is difficult to capture.

Nonlinear Whirling Motion of Monopile Offshore Wind Turbines Subjected to Harmonic and Seismic Base Excitations

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (02) ◽  
pp. 1950009
Author(s):  
Zhicheng Cai ◽  
Xiang Yuan Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Instability Mechanism ◽  
Triggering Mechanism ◽  
Scaled Model ◽  
Shake Table Tests ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Whirling Motion ◽  
Theoretical Results

The triggering mechanism and the vibration patterns of the nonlinear whirling motion of monopile offshore wind turbines subjected to unidirectional base excitations are investigated both theoretically and experimentally via a 64:1 scaled model of the prototype NREL-5MW monopile offshore wind turbine. For motion, two nonlinear coupled integro-differential equations containing cubic nonlinearities due to curvature and inertia are solved by both analytical and numerical methods. Harmonic and random seismic base excitations with different amplitudes and frequencies are considered in the analysis to understand the instability mechanism. Extensive shake table tests show that the experimental results have good qualitative agreements with the theoretical results, and as observed in eight load cases, the nonlinear whirling motions of nacelle do exist and tend to be induced by large harmonic excitations with structural resonant frequency.

The Influence of Foundation Modeling Assumptions on Long-Term Load Prediction for Offshore Wind Turbines

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Bush ◽  
Lance Manuel
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Stochastic Simulations ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Extreme Loads ◽  
Reliability Method ◽  
Flexible Foundation

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of alternative monopile foundation models for shallow-water offshore wind turbines on extreme loads associated with 20-year return periods. Foundation models with tower base fixed at the mudline, with apparent fixity points below the mudline, with coupled transverse and lateral springs at the mudline, and with distributed springs over the entire penetration depth of the monopile are compared. We employ a utility-scale 5 MW offshore wind turbine model with a 90-meter hub height in stochastic simulations; the turbine is sited in 20 meters of water. Selected 20-year wind speed and wave height combinations are employed as we study comparative response statistics, power spectra, and probability distributions of extreme loads for the fixed-base and the three different flexible foundation models. A discussion on the varying dynamics, on short-term response statistics, and on extrapolated long-term loads from limited simulation is presented. Sea states involving wind speeds close to the turbine’s rated wind speed are found to control 20-year loads, and the flexible foundation models are found to experience higher extreme loads than the fixed-based case. Overall, the three flexible foundation models appear to yield similar long-term loads based on an Inverse FORM (First-Order Reliability Method) approach for the selected turbine and soil profile used in this study.

scholarly journals Maintenance Planning of Offshore Wind Turbine Using Condition Monitoring Information

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose´ G. Rangel-Rami´rez ◽  
John D. So̸rensen
Keyword(s):  
Condition Monitoring ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Maintenance Planning ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Inspection And Maintenance ◽  
Monitoring Information

Deterioration processes such as fatigue and corrosion are typically affecting offshore structures. To “control” this deterioration, inspection and maintenance activities are developed. Probabilistic methodologies represent an important tool to identify the suitable strategy to inspect and control the deterioration in structures such as offshore wind turbines (OWT). Besides these methods, the integration of condition monitoring information (CMI) can optimize the mitigation activities as an updating tool. In this paper, a framework for risk-based inspection and maintenance planning (RBI) is applied for OWT incorporating CMI, addressing this analysis to fatigue prone details in welded steel joints at jacket or tripod steel support structures for offshore wind turbines. The increase of turbulence in wind farms is taken into account by using a code-based turbulence model. Further, additional modes t integrate CMI in the RBI approach for optimal planning of inspection and maintenance. As part of the results, the life cycle reliabilities and inspection times are calculated, showing that earlier inspections are needed at in-wind farm sites. This is expected due to the wake turbulence increasing the wind load. With the integration of CMI by means Bayesian inference, a slightly change of first inspection times are coming up, influenced by the reduction of the uncertainty and harsher or milder external agents.

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