MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND LOAD ANALYSIS OF AN OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE

Abstract: Results of a study that investigates the feasibility of platforms that support a floating wind turbine are presented. Both theoretical and experimental studies are described. In the theoretical portion, the geometry of platforms with differing configurations is first modelled. The hydrodynamic coefficients were derived using WAMIT (Wave Analysis at MIT). An equation of motion was developed that incorporated these coefficients. The computer code FAST (Fatigue, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Turbulence) was used to add the effects of wind turbine and wave loads. In the final step, the wind turbine motion was calculated for six degrees of freedom with and without aerodynamic loads. In the experimental part, a water channel was used. A wide range of waves with different amplitudes and frequencies were generated within the channel. To verify the theoretical results, various model platforms were constructed and the hydrodynamic coefficients were derived to compare them with theoretical results.

Keywords: Offshore wind turbine, Load analysis, Hydrodynamic coefficients, Dynamic Analysis.