Abstract
The offshore turbine system was installed on a floating platform moored in Hakata Bay, offshore of Fukuoka, Japan. An identical turbine system was also installed at the adjacent waterfront. The separation of the two turbines was 3.7 km. Wind flow tends to be more stable and the average wind speed is often larger in offshore areas than adjacent land areas at typical wind turbine hub height. This study focused on the wind condition of a nearshore area to clarify the advantages of nearshore wind farming. Prior to field experiment, wind conditions were predicted by using numerical simulation. It is useful for estimating topographical effect in nearshore areas. Next, field verification test was done by directly comparing wind data obtained from the identical wind turbine systems installed at an offshore location and the adjacent waterfront over the same extended period. The corresponding power output of these turbines was also compared. The data set exhibits 23% larger annual average wind speed at the offshore location and smaller turbulent intensity, resulting doubled annual power production.
Highlights
One of the main motivations for installing wind farms in offshore areas is the higher wind speed, which increases the capacity factor
This study focused on the wind potential of near offshore area as close as a few kilometers from the adjacent land
It was estimated that the advantage in the wind speeds at 10 m above the surface of the nearshore ocean area compared to the adjacent shore to be around 1 m/s
Summary
One of the main motivations for installing wind farms in offshore areas is the higher wind speed, which increases the capacity factor. In areas only about 1 km from the shore, the average wind speed often increases by about 25%, which potentially doubles both the power output of wind turbines and the capacity factor This situation appears to hold in Fukuoka, Japan where this experiment was conducted [1] [2]. This study was undertaken to clarify the differences in wind conditions between near offshore areas and neighboring shore areas to develop understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of wind farming in offshore locations, even when at relatively short distances from the adjacent shore Before proceeding in this project, wind conditions were predicted and a site for wind-power generation in near offshore area was chosen by using numerical simulations of the wind flow. The floating platform was located 3.7 km from the park and about 800 m off the nearest shore
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