Floating Support Structure for Offshore Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating offshore wind turbines face challenges such as high installation costs, limited deployment depths, and stability issues due to wave forces and currents, particularly with 'spar' platforms, which require deep waters and large, expensive crane boats, and are not easily installable in areas like fjords.
Innovation Solution
A floating support structure composed of a bicycle wheel-shaped float with a central tubular structure and toric or polygonal shape, providing continuous thrust and stability, allowing for installation in shallower waters and reducing dynamic stability problems, with a counterweight system that minimizes anchor tension and supports wind turbines up to 9.5 MW.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spar platforms are used for floating offshore wind turbines, then the structure relies on proven manufacturing and installation technologies, but the installation costs increase due to requiring large-capacity crane vessels and deep water areas with calm sea conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the floating support structure into two separate elements: a float and a counterweight, connected by ballast links. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and transported independently using conventional vessels, avoiding the need for large-capacity crane vessels required by integrated spar platforms. The float can be assembled in shallow water or even in port, and the counterweight is deployed separately and connected via ballast links, significantly reducing installation costs while maintaining structural reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from the traditional vertical spar platform configuration to a horizontal float configuration with a submerged counterweight. This dimensional change allows the floating element to have a low draft during construction and installation, enabling deployment in shallow waters and fjords without requiring the deep water conditions necessary for conventional spar platforms. The counterweight operates in the submerged dimension, providing stability without increasing surface footprint
2Stability of the object's composition
If spar platforms are used for floating offshore wind turbines, then the structure provides stability, but the movement speed decreases due to high drag in the water
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the float and counterweight into independent components connected by ballast links, the invention reduces the hydrodynamic drag on the floating element. The counterweight remains submerged and stationary relative to the seabed, while the float moves freely on the surface with minimal resistance. This segmentation allows the floating wind turbine to be towed at higher speeds compared to integrated spar platforms, improving deployment efficiency and expanding suitable installation locations
Solution Approach 2:
The float is designed with a streamlined, hydrodynamic shape that minimizes water resistance during towing. The flexible connection via ballast links allows the structure to adapt to water currents and reduce drag, enabling faster movement while maintaining stability during operation
3Ease of operation
If floating support structures are located close to the free surface (such as barges or semi-submersible platforms), then the structure is highly subject to waves, but dynamic stability problems increase due to wave forces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a submerged counterweight connected to the float via ballast links to counterbalance wave forces and stabilize the floating wind turbine. The counterweight, positioned below the surface, provides a stabilizing moment that resists the destabilizing torque from waves and wind fluctuations. This counterweight system allows the float to remain accessible for assembly operations while significantly reducing dynamic stability problems compared to surface-level platforms without such stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves the stabilizing mass from the surface dimension to the submerged dimension. By placing the counterweight below the surface and connecting it via ballast links, the structure exploits the deeper, calmer water layer that is less affected by surface waves. This dimensional transition allows the floating element to maintain accessibility for assembly while the submerged counterweight provides stability against wave forces
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
Enables the installation of wind turbines in economically accessible areas with reduced manufacturing costs, increased rotational stability, and compatibility with various turbine designs, while minimizing environmental impact and operational risks.
Implementation Method 1
the floating element is easy to transport, its draft during construction and installation is low, and it is compact
Implementation Method 2
a counterweight system that minimizes anchor tension and supports wind turbines up to 9.5 MW
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for installing an offshore wind turbine provided with a floating support structure comprising the successive steps of jointly transporting at sea a basket (32) of the counterweight (16) positioned under the floating support structure and its float (12), vertically lowering the basket by means of a lifting system (402) integrated at the float, towing at sea the float connected to the counterweight to the area where the wind turbine is to be installed, and filling with ballast material the basket of the counterweight suspended from the float structure.