Wind Turbine Installation on Floating Foundations With Mast Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing wind turbines on floating foundations require long-distance towing of complete wind turbines, which is time-consuming and can be impaired by weather conditions, and involve assembling the entire system remotely, making it inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method for installing wind turbines on floating foundations at their final offshore location, using a semi-submersible vessel with a crane and heave compensation and mast alignment systems to compensate for sea-state induced motions, allowing for precise alignment and fastening of the wind turbine mast to the foundation, while the foundation is already anchored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire floating foundation wind turbine is assembled at a port-based yard and then towed to the offshore windfarm, then the wind turbine can be installed on the seabed, but the process becomes time-consuming and may be impaired by weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The installation process is segmented into two independent phases: first, the floating foundation is installed and anchored to the seabed; second, the wind turbine is installed on the already-positioned foundation. This segmentation eliminates the need to tow the complete assembly, reducing towing time and weather-related delays while maintaining installation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating foundation is installed and anchored to the seabed in advance, before the wind turbine is mounted. This preliminary action allows the foundation to be securely positioned in its final location, eliminating the need for long-distance towing of the complete assembly and reducing the impact of weather conditions on the overall installation timeline.
2Ease of manufacture
If the entire floating foundation wind turbine is assembled at a port-based yard, then the complete assembly can be towed to the windfarm, but the process becomes costly and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components (floating foundation and wind turbine) that can be prepared independently. The foundation is installed and anchored first, then the turbine is mounted separately. This segmentation improves installation efficiency by eliminating the need to tow and handle the complete heavy assembly, while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a floating foundation is used in deeper waters, then the wind turbine can be installed economically, but the foundation is subject to sea-state induced motions requiring complex alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The floating foundation is installed and anchored to the seabed in advance, establishing a stable reference platform before the wind turbine is mounted. This preliminary action allows for simpler alignment procedures during turbine installation, as the foundation is already in its final position and can serve as a stable base, reducing the complexity of alignment systems needed to compensate for sea-state motions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the need for long-distance towing, enhances installation efficiency, and allows for cost-effective establishment of offshore wind farms by enabling on-site assembly of wind turbines on already anchored floating foundations.
Implementation Method 1
The crane and/or the hoisting system thereof comprises a heave compensation device that is adapted to compensate for sea-state induced heave motion of the wind turbine mast relative to the mast mounting structure of the floating foundation
Implementation Method 2
operating the mast alignment system so as to bring and maintain the mast of the wind turbine in alignment with the mounting axis of the floating foundation in order to compensate for sea-state induced motions, at least including tilt motions in one or more vertical planes, of the wind turbine mast relative to the mounting axis of the floating foundation
Implementation Method 3
a ballast control system is provided which is configured for moving the ballast liquid between ballast tanks, e.g. of the at least three stabilizing columns, to adjust a vertical orientation of the upwardly directed mounting axis
Implementation Method 4
the floating foundation comprises three or more interconnected and buoyant stabilizing columns
Data Source
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AI summary
Installation of a wind turbine on a floating foundation that is in floating condition and subject to sea-state induced motions, e.g. at the site of an offshore windfarm. Use is made of a vessel with a crane arranged on the hull and provided with a hoisting system that is adapted to support the weight of the wind turbine and suspend the wind turbine from the crane. A heave compensation device compensates for sea-state induced heave motion of the wind turbine mast relative to the mast mounting structure of the floating foundation. Use is made of a mast alignment system that is configured to engage on the suspended wind turbine, e.g. on the mast of the suspended wind turbine, and to bring and maintain the mast of the wind turbine in alignment with the mounting axis of the floating foundation in order to compensate for sea-state induced motions, at least including tilt motions in one or more vertical planes, of the wind turbine mast relative to the mounting axis of the floating foundation.