Floating Wind Turbine Platform Ballast Control for Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Floating wind turbines face challenges in optimizing power production and reducing loading due to dynamic wind, wave, and current loads, which require robust structural designs that are costly and inefficient, and existing systems cap power production at rated wind speeds, limiting energy generation at lower wind speeds.
Innovation Solution
Inclining the rotor of floating wind turbines by adjusting the platform's ballast to maximize the rotor's projected area, bringing the rotor plane closer to perpendicularity with the wind direction, thereby increasing power production and reducing loads on the turbine and structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the platform uses a robust structural design to resist dynamic wind, wave, and current loads, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and structural weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the platform inclination adjustable rather than fixed. The ballast system enables the platform to dynamically change its inclination angle in response to varying wind, wave, and current conditions, allowing the structure to adapt to environmental loads without requiring excessive structural reinforcement for worst-case scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of platform inclination angle dynamically. By adjusting the ballast distribution, the platform can modify its inclination parameter to optimize power production at different wind speeds and reduce structural loading, thereby improving reliability without increasing platform weight.
2Productivity
If the rotor plane is kept perpendicular to the wind direction at all times, then power production is optimized, but structural loading increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the platform inclination based on wind speed conditions. At lower wind speeds, the platform inclines to maximize the rotor's projected area for optimized power production. At higher wind speeds, the platform reduces inclination to minimize structural loading, thus balancing productivity and structural safety dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The ballast system periodically adjusts the platform inclination in response to changing wind conditions. This periodic adjustment allows the system to capture maximum energy during favorable conditions while reducing loads during high-wind periods, optimizing the trade-off between power production and structural loading over time.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the platform operates at fixed equilibrium position, then structural stability is maintained, but power production at lower wind speeds is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed equilibrium position to a dynamic equilibrium system. The ballast-controlled inclination adjustment allows the platform to maintain stability while adapting its operating angle to wind speed conditions, enabling optimized power production at lower wind speeds without compromising overall structural stability.
4Productivity
If the rotor projected area is maximized, then power production increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a ballast water system (hydraulic principle) to adjust the platform inclination. By pumping ballast water between tanks, the system changes the center of gravity and induces platform inclination. This hydraulic approach provides a relatively simple and reliable method compared to mechanical actuators or complex electrical systems, achieving power optimization without excessive device complexity.
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 enhances power production at lower wind speeds and reduces structural loads, improving the efficiency and reliability of floating wind turbines without increasing material costs or modifying the turbine hardware.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting the platform's ballast to maximize the rotor's projected area
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an inclination of a floating wind turbine platform to optimize power production, or to reduce loads on the turbine, tower, and platform, or both, includes receiving data associated with the inclination of the floating wind turbine platform and wind speed and direction data. An angle of difference between the turbine blade plane and the wind direction is determined, where the angle of difference has a vertical component. A platform ballast system is then caused to distribute ballast to reduce the vertical component to a target angle chosen to optimize power production, or reduce turbine, tower, and platform loads, or both.