Title:

Numerical and Experimental Modelling of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines for Digital Twinning Applications

The offshore wind industry in the US is rapidly growing, and the floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) are emerging as promising energy sources. However, the complex interaction of waves, wind, currents, tides, vibrations, and corrosion poses significant challenges to design and operation of FOWTs. This project focuses on these challenges through a comprehensive numerical modeling, experimental validation, and digital twinning approach. Numerical modeling efforts involve the development of efficient low and high-fidelity models via several software platforms such as MATLAB, Ansys AQWA, OpenFAST, and OrcaFlex. These models are essential for the FOWT dynamic analysis under a diverse set of environmental conditions. Experimental validation is being conducted through the Froude scaled models of FOWTs at the UNH Wave Tank and Flow Physics Facility. Two scaled floating platforms have been designed, a 1/70 scale model of the UMaine Volturn US-S reference platform and a 1/50 scale model of the OC4 DeepCWind platform. A sophisticated data acquisition system is developed in LabView, which facilitates comprehensive monitoring of the experimental setup, and enables precise measurement of structural responses and environmental loads. The aim of the project is to develop robust Digital Twins for FOWT structures. These virtual models are being developed through extensive numerical simulations and laboratory experiments, and enable real-time monitoring and analysis of structural health, enhanced operational safety, efficiency, and reliability. Key benefits of digital twinning include the prediction of potential failures, optimized maintenance schedules, increased energy production reliability, and extended lifespans for FOWT systems. Bayesian filtering algorithms are employed to ensure accurate representation of the highly nonlinear dynamics inherent in FOWT structures.

Name

Comment*

Comments are viewable only by submitter

Captcha*