Study on performance of floating wind turbines

Abstract

With the increased focus on natural energy sources in recent years, the immense potential of wind energy as a renewable clean fuel source has crowned it as one of the fastest growing major sources of new electricity around the world. In view of the booming wind energy industry, the purpose of this project is to study the performance of floating wind turbines. This report gives a brief overview of the background of floating wind turbines, significant factors that affect its performance, as well as the importance and future prospects of this technology.

This report then proceeds to design the equipment and procedures required for wind turbine performance investigation. This included the design and development process of the wave simulator, which consists of a linear actuator mimicking floating platform motions under specified wind and wave conditions. Significant design factors are taken into considerations during the two main design iterations.

In the experimental phase, periodic wave motions of known amplitude and frequency were imposed on the wind turbine model to study its motions in selected platform motions. The range of test variables was determined based on Froude’s Scaling Law and Beaufort Wind Force Scale. The experiments were then categorized into two main test patterns – triangular wave motion and segmented sine wave motion.

Analyses of experimental data were conducted among the three platform motions, while comparing the feasibility of the two test patterns. The progress of this project are documented in this report as reference for any future relevant studies.