Offshore Wind Park Buoyant Structure Turbine Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind farms face challenges in maximizing energy yield due to turbulence caused by wind turbines, which reduces energy conversion efficiency and accelerates component deterioration, and existing solutions often result in complex and costly structures with low turbine density.
Innovation Solution
A compact offshore wind farm design featuring two wind turbines with their planes of rotation in the same plane, allowing closer spacing and reduced maintenance needs, utilizing a buoyant structure with a mooring system that enables automatic alignment and optional yaw mechanisms for optimal wind direction, and shared facilities like a helideck for reduced maintenance flights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If wind turbines are positioned closer together to increase turbine density, then space utilization improves, but turbulence from upstream turbines disturbs downstream turbines reducing energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional linear row arrangements to a two-dimensional planar configuration where turbines are positioned at vertices of a polygon. This dimensional change allows turbines to be spaced closer in all directions while maintaining adequate separation from wake zones, enabling higher turbine density without significant wake interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of turbines relative to the buoyant structure, with turbines placed at specific vertices of a polygon rather than symmetric distribution. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes spacing to minimize wake effects while maximizing turbine density, allowing closer placement than symmetric configurations would permit.
2Productivity
If a third wind turbine is added to the buoyant structure, then energy yield increases, but the structure becomes larger and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a modular approach where identical or similar turbine units are deployed on standardized buoyant structures. Each turbine-buoyant structure assembly is essentially a copy of the others, allowing scalable deployment without increasing individual unit complexity. The same buoyant structure design can support multiple turbines at different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the wind farm into separate, independent buoyant structures, each carrying one or more turbines. This segmentation allows each structure to be optimized independently and deployed separately, reducing the complexity of any single structure while achieving overall high energy yield through multiple units working in parallel.
3Productivity
If wind turbines are positioned with large spacing to avoid wake effects, then energy efficiency is maintained, but the floating structure must be larger
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning to two-dimensional planar arrangements on buoyant structures, the patent achieves adequate wake separation without requiring large linear distances. The polygon vertex positioning allows turbines to be close in all directions while maintaining proper spacing from wake zones, reducing the overall footprint compared to linear arrangements.
4Productivity
If yaw mechanisms are added to wind turbines for optimal wind direction alignment, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs passive weathervaning where the buoyant structures and turbines automatically align with wind direction through environmental forces without active control systems. The structures naturally rotate to face the wind, eliminating the need for powered yaw mechanisms while maintaining optimal alignment. This self-service approach achieves energy efficiency without the complexity and maintenance burden of active yaw control systems.
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 design enhances energy yield by allowing closer turbine placement, reducing maintenance needs, and enabling more efficient use of space with a simpler, more stable buoyant structure that can withstand strong winds and varying sea conditions.
Implementation Method 1
buoyant foundations can be used, such as the WindFloat® system
Implementation Method 2
wind turbines comprising a rotor with one or more rotor blades defining a plane of rotation
Implementation Method 3
The distance between the mooring section and the wind turbines improves automatic alignment to the wind direction by weathervaning
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Wind farm comprising at least, one buoyant structure having two corners provided with a wind turbine and a third corner comprising a mooring section, e.g., with a disconnect able mooring turret. The third corner does not carry one of the wind turbines. Shared facilities for the two wind turbines, such as a helideck and/or electrical equipment, such as a converter and/or transformer, can be located on or near the third corner.