Modular Floating Foundation Assembly for Offshore Wind
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional floating wind foundation technologies are uneconomical due to fabrication and assembly design shortcomings, limiting scalability and increasing costs, especially in regions with limited infrastructure, making it challenging to deploy large foundations efficiently and effectively.
Innovation Solution
A modular floating offshore foundation design comprising a plurality of interconnected modules, including outer pontoons, central pontoons, nodes, support trusses, and reconfigurable outer columns, allowing for efficient assembly using local infrastructure and materials like steel, concrete, or synthetic polymers, with various connection methods to accommodate different energy production systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional floating foundations are fabricated using complete utilization of fabrication facility resources, then the fabrication process can be completed, but the fabrication cost increases and serial production efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The floating foundation is divided into multiple modular components ( pontoons, columns, trusses, nodes) that can be fabricated separately and assembled offshore. This segmentation allows fabrication facilities to operate at optimal capacity for each module type while enabling serial production and reducing overall fabrication costs.
2Ease of manufacture
If large conventional foundations are fabricated in existing fabrication facilities, then the foundation can be constructed, but the fabrication facility space and quayside space requirements become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the large foundation into smaller modular components, each module can be fabricated in standard facility spaces without requiring excessive quayside space or specialized large-scale fabrication capabilities, thus reducing infrastructure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly process transitions from land-based fabrication to offshore water-based assembly, utilizing the three-dimensional marine environment to accommodate large structures without requiring proportional land or facility space.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional floating foundations are fabricated overseas and transported to deployment sites, then fabrication can occur in regions with better facilities, but additional execution costs and transportation risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Modular components can be fabricated at standardized facilities and then assembled locally at deployment sites, reducing the need for complex offshore fabrication and minimizing transportation of large assembled structures, thus reducing time and risk.
4Reliability
If conventional floating foundations are designed for specific applications, then the structural requirements can be met, but the design lacks scalability and adaptability to different regions
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design with standardized connection interfaces allows the same basic components to be configured for different foundation types and applications by varying the number and arrangement of modules, achieving both structural reliability and design scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized modular components and connection systems can be used across multiple foundation configurations and applications, making the design universally applicable to different regions and structural requirements without requiring custom fabrication for each project.
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
The modular design reduces fabrication and deployment costs by enabling efficient serial production, utilizing local resources, and allowing for reconfiguration and redeployment, thus making floating offshore wind projects economically viable in areas with limited infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of unit modules including: outer pontoons (150), a central pontoon (200), nodes (100), support truss (400), outer columns (500), an interface node (600)
Data Source
AI summary
A floating foundation includes a plurality of unit modules that can be fabricated in an efficient manner and then assembled, on shore or afloat near the deployment location. The floating foundation can be applied to various offshore energy systems, such as wind power generation, and in deployment locations with limited infrastructure.