Model development
For the successful realization of the offshore possibilities it is vital that the costs of the offshore wind turbines are brought down by designing machines specifically for the offshore environment as based on a generic offshore design basis and dedicated computational tools. This includes consequences of de-rating, wake effects, the analysis of combined wind and wave loads and soil structure interaction.
The objective of WP6.3
is to further develop models for offshore wind turbines, both bottom-fixed and floating, and arrays, and to establish the basis for an offshore site specific design process with feedback between turbine, support structure, wind farm layout and wind farm control. This involves the development of new specific methods and models for simulation of wind turbine inflow conditions, power and loads as well as integrating these into existing design tools in an integrated manner. Cognisance will be taken of the outcomes from WP6.1 and WP6.2 to improve the representation of these large dynamic structures that are subject to both wind and wave loading. Loads and energy capture are dependent on the operating strategies and control strategies adopted both at the turbine and wind farm levels. The scope for this work package extends to cover these control aspects. In particular, the appropriate level of modelling detail required will be addressed as will be the contribution control can make to load mitigation and minimisation of unwanted swings and motions and increased energy capture.