Experimental and numerical study on the multi-body coupling dynamic response of a Novel Serbuoys-TLP wind turbine

Abstract

The floating wind turbine (FWT) based on the tension leg platform (TLP) plays an important role in addressing the issue of energy pinch, but the central characteristic for TLP is that in vertical direction it is similar to a rigid structure with tension tendons to restrain motion, while in horizontal direction, it seems to be compliant with less constrain. The large amplitude motions in the horizontal plane caused by this compliance will seriously affect the performance of the platform under harsh environmental conditions. To address this problem, a new type of tension leg platform wind turbine connected with a series of buoys (Serbuoys-TLP) is proposed. A time-domain simulation program (DUTMST) for the TLP and Serbuoys-TLP based on MATLAB is provided, with consideration of the multi-body coupling effect between the body, tension leg and buoy. That is, each buoy can be analysed as a separate mass structure connected on the tension leg. The accuracy of DUTMST is discussed via comparison with the results of an experiment and AQWA. The dynamic responses of TLP and Serbuoys-TLP are presented in DUTMST. The results show that the Serbuoys-TLP can significantly reduce the horizontal response of the TLP. In addition, the horizontal response suppression effects of Serbuoys-TLP are investigated by varying the wave factor and parameters of buoys. Additionally, the parameters of buoys adapted to the East China Sea are given.