Hybrid Modelling of Loads and Structural response on a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine

Project Description:

Wind farms are anticipated to better utilise more available seascape by moving further offshore. With this brings challenging hydrological, meteorological and deeper water conditions that result in the use of conventional fixed-foundation offshore wind turbines no longer being feasible. Therefore, research into optimal designs for floating structures better adapted to far-offshore conditions is a necessity.

The goal of this PhD project is to create a high-fidelity hybrid floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) aero-hydro-structure dynamic performance predictive computer model. In doing so, the structural design of next-generation FOWTs can be optimised with respect to ensuring accurate estimates and predictions of extreme environmental loads, and structural responses to these. The development of this model will also provide economic benefits and ultimately contribute to the global Net Zero 2050 target.

This work will focus on the realisation of a novel, hitherto missing, application specific, Data Assimilation (DA) algorithm, underpinned by a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CDF) output, a numerical structure model and experimental data. In doing so this will allow for the accurate estimation and prediction of structural responses to wind, waves and currents on FOWTs, and thereby support optimal FOWT design and elongate the life cycle of FOWTs.

The objectives of this project involve:

(i) the development of a structure response numerical model based on the environment aero-hydro-dynamic loads encountered in practice;
(ii) Develop the DA algorithm and package by integrating CFD and experimental data;
(iii) Produce accurate estimates of and predict environmentally generated loads and associated structural response; and
(iv) Analyse and assess the output and performance of the resulting DA modelling tool-box and compare it with current industrial practice and alternative methods.