Spar-Type Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines in Moderate Water Depth: A Feasibility Study

Ting Rui Wen, Kai Wang, Zhengshun Cheng and Muk Chen Ong
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Ting Rui Wen: Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway
Kai Wang: Aker Solutions AS, 1366 Lysaker, Norway
Zhengshun Cheng: Department of Marine Technology, CeSOS and AMOS, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Muk Chen Ong: Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: The applications of floating vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) in deep water have been proposed and studied by several researchers recently. However, the feasibility of deploying a floating VAWT at a moderate water depth has not yet been studied. In this paper, this feasibility is thoroughly addressed by comparing the dynamic responses of spar-type VAWTs in deep water and moderate water depth. A short spar VAWT supporting a 5 MW Darrieus rotor at moderate water depth is proposed by following the deep spar concept in deep water. A fully coupled simulation tool, SIMO-RIFLEX-DMS code, is utilized to carry out time domain simulations under turbulent wind and irregular waves. Dynamic responses of the short spar and deep spar VAWTs are analyzed and compared, including the natural periods, wind turbine performance, platform motions, tower base bending moments, and tension of mooring lines. The statistical characteristics of the thrust and power production for both spars are similar. The comparison of platform motions and tower base bending moments demonstrate a good agreement for both spars, but the short spar has better performance in surge/sway motions and side–side bending moments. The 2P response dominates the bending moment spectra for both spars. A significant variation in tension of Mooring Line 1 and a larger corresponding spectrum value are found in the short spar concept. The results indicate that the application of short spar VAWTs is feasible and could become an alternative concept at moderate water depth.

Keywords: offshore wind; vertical axis wind turbine; dynamic response; spar; moderate water depth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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