Simulation of a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine With an Integrated Response Mitigation Technology

This work investigates the implementation of a novel, NASA-developed Fluid Harmonic Absorber (FHA) technology to mitigate platform motions and structural loads that can lead to lighter platforms, increased turbine performance, and ultimately, a lower LCOE. The novel damping strategy takes advantage of existing water ballast in the VolturnUS semi-submersible platform to achieve significant performance gains with minimal additional equipment and complexity. NREL’s FOWT software FAST is modified to include the primary features of the FHA technology. A study of the University of Maine-developed VolturnUS semi-submersible FOWT augmented with FHA technology is undertaken to quantify global performance of the system. When compared to the baseline technology, numerical simulations of a redesigned platform utilizing the FHA dampers indicate a reduction of 15.8% in hull structural material. Finally, the improvements in LCOE resulting from this mass reduction are assessed to demonstrate the advantages of NASA’s FHA technology for FOWT applications.