Low-order modeling, controller design and optimization of floating offshore wind turbines

Abstract

Ongoing demonstration projects prove the technical feasibility of offshore wind turbines on floating foundations, moored by anchor lines. The present work starts with the derivation of a tailored numerical model, which represents not more than the most relevant effects to simulate the system dynamics, observed from experiments, including aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, structural dynamics and the control system. This provides the basis for an integrated design study to take floating wind turbines to the next stage of development. It is shown that the integrated design yields systems with a smooth dynamic behavior in harsh wind and wave conditions.