Impact of sea ice loads on global dynamics of offshore wind turbines

authored by

Wojciech Popko

supervised by

Andreas Reuter

Abstract

Support structures for offshore wind turbines (OWTs) are designed and certified site-specific based on the calculated load effects. These load effects originate from static, cyclic, stochastic, and transient loads from the met-ocean environment and rotating components of the wind turbine. The met-ocean environment of the Baltic Sea accounts for variable wind and marine conditions. Sea ice is part of marine conditions which - among others - should be included in the design process of OWT support structures. The load analysis and design of OWTs, including its components, rely on the time-domain based, coupled aero-hydro-servo-elastic simulation tools. Only this approach can provide an accurate prediction of the OWT dynamic response. Dynamic interaction between an OWT and external loads - including ice loads - cannot be disregareded as it may result in considerable loss of accuracy. A proper understanding of sea ice impact on the global dynamics of OWTs - involving the fully-integrated simulation approach - is necessary within the offshore wind research community, industry, and certification authorities.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Wind Energy Systems

Type

Doctoral thesis

No. of pages

209

Publication date

2020

Publication status

Published

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 14 - Life Below Water