CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY DYNAMIC RESPONSE ANALYSIS OF NOVEL FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE FOUNDATION

This study introduces a novel floating foundation design tailored for the challenging 200 m water depth of the South China Sea. The performance analysis of this innovative foundation concept is centered around the NREL 5 MW wind turbine. Hydrodynamic loading is assessed using the Morrison’s equation and potential flow theory. Employing ANSYS/AQWA software, a comprehensive numerical model of the floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) and hydrodynamics is established. The investigation delves into the hydrodynamic characteristics of the floating foundation within the frequency domain. Additionally, a detailed assessment of the FOWT’s dynamic response is conducted under diverse wave conditions in the time domain. Notably, the new floating foundation possesses a natural period that strategically avoids resonance with common waves periods, thus demonstrating exceptional hydrodynamic efficacy. The dynamic response analysis reveals that the foundation successfully meets the prescribed criteria for safety and stability under the different wave conditions—spanning 1-year, 20-year, and 50-year scenarios—pertaining to the South China Sea’s marine environment. This outcome underscores the foundation’s capability to ensure the FOWT’s integrity and dependability even in the face of extreme sea conditions. © 2024 Science Press. All rights reserved.