Experimental modelling of a novel concrete-based 15-MW spar wind turbine

Abstract

Physical model testing is a crucial step in the validation process of floating offshore wind concepts that can be used to contribute to the worldwide decarbonization objectives. It is also important to understand the coupled performance of all the sub-systems that conform to a floating wind concept: wind turbines, mooring systems or floating platform hydrodynamic responses. Few experimental tests had been conducted, and no real-time hybrid modelling had been performed in these tests. In this paper, an open-source experimental dataset is presented, and the dynamics of a concrete spar-based floating concept withstanding the IEA 15-MW Reference Wind Turbine are investigated. An experiment on a 1:55 scale concrete-based spar (WindCrete) at IHCantabria's ocean basin was developed by means of the hardware-in-the-loop technique under the COREWIND EU-H2020 project. The available data consist of the hydrodynamic characterizations and seakeeping tests with a total of 57 available datasets. The proper behaviour of the WindCrete platform and the designed mooring system is confirmed by the maximum motion values and accelerations below the established acceptance criteria defined. Moreover, this test program identifies the importance of the wind loads over the dynamic performance of the concept.