A hardware-in-the-loop wave-basin scale-model experiment for the validation of control strategies for floating offshore wind turbines

A Fontanella,O Pires,E J De Ridder,S Gueydon,M Belloli,J W Van Wingerden,I Bayati,J Azcona,Y Liu

doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1618/3/032038

Abstract

This paper presents a new hardware-in-the-loop methodology for wave-basin scale-model experiments about floating offshore wind turbines and its application as a tool for the validation of control strategies. In the hardware-in-the-loop experiments, the physical Froude-scaled wind turbine model used in conventional scale-model tests is replaced by a numerical model, measurements and a multi-fan actuator. As usual, properly-scaled waves are generated in the wave basin and the floating platform is simulated by means of a scale-model. The hardware-in-the-loop methodology was used to recreate the interaction between the collective pitch controller and the platform pitch mode that, often observed in numerical studies. In addition, the blade-root load measurement available in the numerical model of the rotor was used to implement an individual pitch control strategy. Different from in conventional experiments, the hardware-in-the-loop methodology allows to recreate a realistic three-dimensional wind field that was used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the individual pitch control. The improved emulation of the rotor loads and wind field make the hardware-in-the-loop experimental methodology an effective tool for the development and validation of control strategies for floating offshore wind turbines.

Highlights

A large portion of wind energy is observed in offshore sites with a water depth greater than 50 meters [1] where bottom-fixed wind turbines are not cost effective
This paper presents a new hardware-in-the-loop methodology for wave-basin scalemodel experiments about floating offshore wind turbines and its application as a tool for the validation of control strategies
Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) are a promising technology for exploiting the vast wind energy resource of coastal areas characterized by a water depth greater than 50 meters where conventional support structures are not a viable solution

Summary

Introduction

A large portion of wind energy is observed in offshore sites with a water depth greater than 50 meters [1] where bottom-fixed wind turbines are not cost effective. Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) are recognized as a viable solution to exploit the abundant wind resource of deep waters. Deploying a multi-megawatt wind turbine on a floating foundation poses several engineering challenges which have only been partially addressed. It is still not clear which is the best way to control the wind turbine One plausible explanation is that it has not yet been possible to identify a reliable tool for the design and validation of FOWT control strategies.

Methods

Conclusion