Hydroelastic analysis of multi-unit floating offshore wind turbine platform (MUFOWT)

Abstract

Along with global warming threat, importance of renewable energy development is on the rise for global sustainable development. To amplify productivity of ocean renewable energy, a multi-unit floating offshore wind turbine platform (MUFOWT) is designed by KRISO (Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering). The MUFOWT is a square frame structure with slender bracing structures, and it hosts multiple wind turbines at corners and a series of point absorber-type wave energy converters between the corners. For station keeping, a spread mooring system is employed at each corner. Considering multiple dynamic excitation sources acting on the frame structure such as random waves, mooring tension, wind loads, and wind turbine dynamics, the coupled hydroelastic responses of the MUFOWT are investigated in terms of resonance risk and consequences in motion and structural responses. Using the time-domain hydroelastic analysis tool and time-domain offshore wind turbine dynamics analysis tool developed by the present authors, we investigate global performance of the MUFOWT including the dynamic deformation resulted from the interactions of the floating body dynamics, random sea loads, mooring dynamics and wind turbine dynamics. Moreover, resonance deformation of the MUFOWT and the causes are investigated. Copyright ？ 2017 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).