Nonlinear simulation of a spar buoy floating wind turbine under extreme ocean conditions

A nonlinear computational model, based on solving the Navier-Stokes equation, is used to study the motion of a 5MW spar buoy floating wind turbine in moderate and extreme sea states with irregular waves. The main advantages of using the current model are that there is no limitation on the platform motion, the hydrodynamic loads do not rely on experimental data, and nonlinear hydrodynamic loads can be predicted. The current work extends a previously developed Navier-Stokes model for regular periodic waves on a tension leg platform floating wind turbine. Free decay tests are performed, and pitch, heave, and surge natural frequencies are determined. The responses of the spar buoy to operating conditions with significant wave height of 8m and mean period of 10 s, and an extreme sea states including waves over 17m height are studied. For the extreme sea state, a nonlinear model is required, since the platform response amplitudes are not small with respect to the spar buoy diameter. Effects not included in linear models, such as platform pitch angles higher than 10 degrees, complete submergence of the platform tank and tether slacking are captured. Finally, a design study on spar buoy aspect ratio is performed for one sea state and it is shown that higher aspect ratio spars generally lead to lower mean pitch and surge responses as expected, but also may lead to a nonlinear trend in the standard deviations in pitch and heave, probably due to the increase in wind and wave moments on the spar. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.