A floating platform of concrete for offshore wind turbine

A floating platform concept is introduced in this paper for offshore wind turbine. A vertical cylinder on the top of an elliptical sphere forms the principal configuration of the platform. The analysis of the dynamic performance of an example platform with 5 MW wind turbine by means of the well-established linear theory for the dynamics of marine constructions in waves shows that the platform is able to secure the normal function of the wind turbine in waves up to rough sea state and has the required dynamic performance for survival in extreme waves by adopting a survival ballast condition. An important feature of this concept is that reinforced concrete can be used as cost-efficient construction material so that the service life, several times longer than similar steel constructions can be obtained despite of the marine corrosive and erosive environment. Thus, this kind of platform can become competitive in the economical, sustainable, and environment-friendly aspect. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3658434]