scholarly journals Uncertainty Quantification for Fatigue Life of Offshore Wind Turbine Structure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Nispel ◽  
Stephen Ekwaro-Osire ◽  
Joao Paulo Dias ◽  
Americo Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Uncertainty Quantification ◽  
Structural Reliability ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Loading Conditions ◽  
Model Input ◽  
Input Parameters ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This study aims to address the question: can the structural reliability of an offshore wind turbine (OWT) under fatigue loading conditions be predicted more consistently? To respond to that question this study addresses the following specific aims: (1) to obtain a systematic approach that takes into consideration the amount of information available for the uncertainty modeling of the model input parameters, and (2) to determine the impact of the most sensitive input parameters on the structural reliability of the OWT through a surrogate model. First, a coupled model to determine the fatigue life of the support structure considering the soil-structure interaction under 15 different loading conditions was developed. Second, a sensitivity scheme using two global analyses was developed to consistently establish the most and least important input parameters of the model. Third, a systematic uncertainty quantification (UQ) scheme was employed to model the uncertainties of model input parameters based on their available-data-driven and physics-informed-information. Finally, the impact of the proposed UQ framework on the OWT structural reliability was evaluated through the estimation of the probability of failure of the structure based on the fatigue limit state design criterion. The results show high sensitivity for the wind speed and moderate sensitivity for parameters usually considered as deterministic values in design standards. Additionally, it is shown that applying systematic UQ not only produces a more efficient and better approximation of the fatigue life under uncertainty, but also a more accurate estimation of the structural reliability of offshore wind turbine's structure during conceptual design. Consequently, more reliable, and robust estimations of the structural designs for large offshore wind turbines with limited information may be achieved during the early stages of design.

Probabilistic Analysis of the Fatigue Life of Offshore Wind Turbine Structures

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Nispel ◽  
Stephen Ekwaro-Osire ◽  
João Paolo Dias
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Structural Reliability ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Limit State ◽  
Fatigue Loading ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Loading Conditions

Abstract The structural response of the main components of offshore wind turbines (OWTs) is considerably sensitive to amplification as their excitation frequencies approach the natural frequency of the structure. Furthermore, uncertainties present in the loading conditions, soil and structural properties highly influence the dynamic response of the OWT. In most cases, the cost of the structure reaches around 30% of the entire OWT because conservative design approaches are employed to ensure its reliability. As a result, this study aims to address the following research question: can the structural reliability of OWT under fatigue loading conditions be predicted more consistently? The specific aims are to (1) establish the design parameters that most impact the fatigue life, (2) determine the probability distributions of the design parameters, and (3) predict the structural reliability. An analytical model to determine the fatigue life of the structure under 15 different loading conditions and two different locations were developed. Global sensitivity analysis was used to establish the more important design parameters. Also, a systematic uncertainty quantification (UQ) scheme was employed to model the uncertainties of model input parameters based on their available information. Finally, the framework used reliability analysis to consistently determine the system probability of failure of the structure based on the fatigue limit state design criterion. The results show high sensitivity for parameters usually considered as deterministic values in design standards. Additionally, it is shown that applying systematic UQ produces a better approximation of the fatigue life under uncertainty and more accurate estimations of the structural reliability. Consequently, more reliable and robust structural designs may be achieved without the need for overestimating the offshore wind turbine response.

scholarly journals Probabilistic Design and Uncertainty Quantification of the Structure of a Monopile Offshore Wind Turbine

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Nispel ◽  
Stephen Ekwaro-Osire ◽  
João Paulo Dias ◽  
Americo Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Uncertainty Quantification ◽  
Structural Reliability ◽  
Limit State ◽  
Probability Of Failure ◽  
Design Criterion ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Model Input ◽  
Input Parameters

Abstract Despite the increasing demand for offshore energy, structural components of offshore wind turbines (OWT), such as the tower and foundation, are considered the most critical parts of the turbine. In fact, uncertainties regarding load conditions, soil and structural properties highly undermine the OWT structural reliability. In this scenario, in order to obtain more accurate results, rigorous probabilistic analyses are necessary. In this study, a probabilistic analysis of the dynamic response of a monopile OWT is conducted by using a systematic uncertainty quantification (UQ) framework to deal with the uncertainty assessment of the model input parameters. The proposed dynamic model computes the dynamic response of the turbine due to wind and waves loads on the monopile structure utilizing a simple cantilever beam analytical model. The distributions of the model input parameters are determined using (1) nonparametric statistics for a large dataset, and (2) the maximum entropy principle for a small dataset. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to propagate the uncertainties of the model inputs and to determine the system reliability expressed in terms of their probability of failure for the serviceability limit state design criterion. Finally, to demonstrate the shortcomings of traditional approaches that assume standard distributions to model uncertainties, a UQ approach modeling the uncertainties of the parameters using normal distributions is contrasted with our framework. From the results, significant differences between the distribution shape and values of the probability of failure can be observed; thus, it demonstrates the importance of developing probabilistic frameworks with systematic UQ to have more realistic approximations of the reliability of the OWT structure.

A Numerical Prediction on the Transient Response of a Spar-Type Floating Offshore Wind Turbine in Freak Waves

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Li ◽  
Xiaoqi Qu ◽  
Liqin Liu ◽  
Peng Xie ◽  
Tianchang Yin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Numerical Code ◽  
Modulation Method ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Freak Waves ◽  
Freak Wave ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Simulations are conducted in time domain to investigate the dynamic response of a spar-type floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) under the freak wave scenarios. Toward this end, a coupled aero-hydro-mooring in-house numerical code is adopted to perform the simulations. The methodology includes a blade-element-momentum (BEM) model for simulating the aerodynamic loads, a nonlinear model for simulating the hydrodynamic loads, a nonlinear restoring model of Spar buoy, and a nonlinear algorithm for simulating the mooring cables. The OC3 Hywind spar-type FOWT is adopted as an example to study the dynamic response under the freak wave conditions, meanwhile the time series of freak waves are generated using the random frequency components selection phase modulation method. The motion of platform, the tension applied on the mooring lines, and the power generation performance are documented in several cases. According to the simulations, it is indicated that when a freak wave acts on the FOWT, the transient motion of the FOWT is induced in all degrees-of-freedom, as well as the produced power decreases rapidly. Furthermore, the impact of freak wave parameters on the motion of FOWT is discussed.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Effect of a Series of Back Twist Blade Configurations for an Active Pitch-To-Stall Floating Offshore Wind Turbine

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn Ward ◽  
Maurizio Collu ◽  
Joy Sumner
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Twist Angle ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Power Performance ◽  
Floating Platform ◽  
Initiation Point ◽  
Negative Damping

Abstract For a turbine mounted on a floating platform, extreme induced loads can be increased by up to 1.6 times those experienced by a turbine situated on a fixed base. If these loads cannot be reduced, towers must be strengthened which will result in increased costs and weight. These tower loads would be additionally exasperated for a pitch-to-feather controlled turbine by a phenomenon generally referred to as “negative damping,” if it were not avoided. Preventing negative damping from occurring on a pitch-to-feather controlled floating platform negatively affects rotor speed control and regulated power performance. However, minimizing the blade bending moment response can result in a reduction in the tower fore-aft moment response, which can increase the tower life. A variable-speed, variable pitch-to-stall (VSVP-S) floating semi-submersible wind turbine, which does not suffer from the negative damping and hence provides a more regulated power output, is presented. This incorporates a back twist blade profile such that the blade twist, starting at the root, initially twists toward stall and, at some pre-determined “initiation” point, changes direction to twist back toward feather until the tip. Wind frequency weighting was applied to the tower axial fatigue life trends of different blade profiles and a preferred blade back twist profile was identified. This had a back twist angle of −3 deg and started at 87.5% along the blade length and achieved a 5.1% increase in the tower fatigue life.

scholarly journals Effect of Wind Turbulence on Extreme Load Analysis of an Offshore Wind Turbine

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolu Chen ◽  
Zhiyu Jiang ◽  
Qinyuan Li ◽  
Ye Li
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Contour Method ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Extreme Response ◽  
Wind Turbulence ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Evaluation of dynamic responses under extreme environmental conditions is important for the structural design of offshore wind turbines. Previously, a modified environmental contour method has been proposed to estimate extreme responses. In the method, the joint distribution of environmental variables near the cut-out wind speed is used to derive the critical environmental conditions for a specified return period, and the turbulence intensity (TI) of wind is assumed to be a deterministic value. To address more realistic wind conditions, this paper considers the turbulence intensity as a stochastic variable and investigates the impact on the modified environmental contour. Aerodynamic simulations are run over a range of mean wind speeds at the hub height from 9–25 m/s and turbulence levels between 9%–15%. Dynamic responses of a monopile offshore wind turbine under extreme conditions were studied, and the importance of considering the uncertainties associated with wind turbulence is highlighted. A case of evaluating the extreme response for 50-year environmental contour is given as an example of including TI as an extra variant in environmental contour method. The result is compared with traditional method in which TI is set as a constant of 15%. It shows that taking TI into consideration based on probabilistic method produces a lower extreme response prediction.

scholarly journals EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE LOADING AND SCOUR OF THE JACKET TYPE OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE FOUNDATION

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (32) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Ray-Yeng Yang ◽  
Hsin-Hung Chen ◽  
Hwung-Hweng Hwung ◽  
Wen-Pin Jiang ◽  
Nian-Tzu Wu
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Water Depth ◽  
Fixed Bed ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Wave Flume ◽  
Wave Basin ◽  
Scour Protection ◽  
The Impact

A 1:36 scale model tests were carried out in the Medium Wave Flume (MWF) and Near-shore Wave Basin (NSWB) at the Tainan Hydraulics Laboratory (THL) with the jacket type offshore wind turbine foundation located in the test area. The loading of typhoon wave with current on the jacket type offshore wind turbine foundation was investigated in the MWF with fixed bed experiment. Meanwhile, the scour around the jacket type offshore wind turbine foundation exposed to wave and current was conducted in the NSWB with the moveable bed experiment. Two locations (water depth 12m and 16m) of the foundations are separately simulated in this study. Based on the analysis from the former NSWB experimental results, the suitable scour protection of a four-layer work around the foundation is also proposed to the impact of scour. Finally, a four-layer scour protection is tested and found to be effective in preventing scour around jacket type foundation of offshore wind turbines at water depth 12m and 16m.

Assessing the Impact of Integrating Energy Storage on the Dynamic Response of a Spar-Type Floating Wind Turbine

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charise Cutajar ◽  
Tonio Sant ◽  
Robert N. Farrugia ◽  
Daniel Buhagiar
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Floating Wind Turbine ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Offshore wind technology is at the forefront of exploiting renewable energy at sea. The latest innovations in the field comprise floating wind turbines deployed in deep waters that are capable of intercepting the stronger, less turbulent winds farther away from the landmass. Despite being able to augment the power harnessed, wind resources remain intermittent in nature, and so unable to satisfy the energy demand at all times. Energy storage systems (ESS) are therefore being considered a key component to smoothen out the supply-demand mismatch when wind penetration into electricity grids increases. Yet, multiple issues pertaining to the integration of ESSs on large-scale projects arise, including economic, environmental and safety considerations. This paper presents a novel concept for integrating a hydro-pneumatic energy storage (HPES) system within a spar-type floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) platform. It aims to assess the technical feasibility of integrating the storage unit within the floater. A preliminary investigation on the influence of integrated storage on the static stability and hydrostatic response of a conventional ballast-stabilised FOWT is conducted, followed by numerical simulations for the dynamic response using ANSYS® AQWA™. Based on the results presented, several conclusions are drawn on the implications of integrating energy storage with floating wind turbine structures. Finally, a preliminary assessment of the thermal efficiency of the storage system based on this specific embodiment is also presented and discussed.

A Fast and Practical Method for Predicting the Fatigue Life of Offshore Wind Turbine Jacket Support Structures

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaoshuai Han ◽  
Yongliang Ma ◽  
Xianqiang Qu ◽  
Peijiang Qin ◽  
Binbin Qiu
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Fatigue Damage ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Computational Effort ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Wave Loads ◽  
Support Structures

Fatigue assessment is a very important part in the design process of offshore wind turbine support structures subjected to wind and wave loads. Fully coupled time domain simulations due to wind and wave loads can potentially provide reliable fatigue predictions, however, it will take high computational effort to carry out fatigue analysis of the simultaneous wind and wave response of the support structure in time domain. For convenience and reducing computational efforts, a fast and practical method is proposed for predicting the fatigue life of offshore wind turbine jacket support structures. Wind induced fatigue is calculated in the time domain using ANSYS based on rainflow counting, and wave induced fatigue is computed in frequency domain using SACS based on a linear spectral analysis. Fatigue damage of X-joints and K-joints under combined environmental loads of wind and wave is estimated by using the proposed method. To verify the accuracy of the proposed formula, fatigue damage based on time domain rainflow cycle counting is calculated and can be considered as a reference. It is concluded that the proposed method provides reasonable fatigue damage predictions and can be adopted for evaluating the combined fatigue damage due to wind and wave loads in offshore wind turbine.

scholarly journals Modelling Rain Drop Impact of Offshore Wind Turbine Blades

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Keegan ◽  
D. H. Nash ◽  
M. M. Stack
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Impact Damage ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Erosion Testing ◽  
Software Modelling ◽  
The Impact

The effects of rain and hail erosion and impact damage on the leading edge of offshore wind turbine blades have been investigated. A literature review was conducted to establish the effects of exposure to these conditions and also to investigate the liquid impact phenomena and their implications for leading edge materials. The role of Explicit Dynamics software modelling in simulating impact events was then also established. Initial rain impact modelling is then discussed with the results showing good agreement with theoretical predictions both numerically and with respect to the temporal and spatial development of the impact event. Future development of the rain model and a proposed hail model are then detailed. Planned rain impact and erosion testing work is addressed which will be used to validate, inform and compliment the ongoing modelling efforts.

Modelling the Dynamic Response and Loads of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Structures With Integrated Compressed Air Energy Storage

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonio Sant ◽  
Daniel Buhagiar ◽  
Robert N. Farrugia
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Compressed Air ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Compressed Air Energy Storage ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
The Impact

Nowadays there is increased interest to incorporate energy storage technologies with wind turbines to mitigate grid-related challenges resulting from the intermittent supply from large-scale offshore wind farms. This paper presents a new concept to integrate compressed air energy storage (CAES) in floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) structures. The FOWT support structures will serve a dual purpose: to provide the necessary buoyancy to maintain the entire wind turbine afloat and stable under different met-ocean conditions and to act as a pressure vessel for compressed air energy storage on site. The proposed concept involves a hydro-pneumatic accumulator installed on the seabed to store pressurized deep sea water that is pneumatically connected to the floating support structure by means of an umbilical conduit. The present study investigates the technical feasibility of this concept when integrated in tension leg platforms (TLPs). The focus is on the impact of the additional floating platform weight resulting from the CAES on the dynamic response characteristics and loads when exposed to irregular waves. A simplified model for sizing the TLP hull for different energy storage capacities is initially presented. This is then used to evaluate the dynamic response of nine different TLP geometries when supporting the NREL1 5MW baseline wind turbine model. Numerical simulations are carried out using the marine engineering software tool ANSYS Aqwa©. The work provides an insight on how TLP structures supporting wind turbines may be optimised to facilitate the integration of the proposed CAES concept. It is shown that it is technically feasible to integrate CAES capacities on the order of Megawatt-Hours within TLP structures without compromising the stability of the floating system; although this would involve a substantial increase in the total structure weight.

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