This study considers the use of a genetic algorithm for the structural design optimization of support structures for offshore wind turbines. Member diameters, thicknesses and locations of nodes are jointly optimized. Analysis of each design is performed with a complete wind turbine simulation, for a load case in the time domain. Structural assessment is in terms of fatigue damage, evaluated for each joint using the hot-spot stress approach. This defines performance constraints. Designs are optimized with respect to their weight. The approach has been tested with the modified 4-legged UpWind jacket from the OC4 project. The weight is quickly reduced, convergence slows after about 100 iterations, and few changes occur after 250 iterations. Interestingly, the fatigue constraint is not active for any member, and it is the validity of stress concentration factors that determines the best design, which utilizes less than 90 percent of the available fatigue lifetime. These results of the preliminary study using the genetic algorithm demonstrate that automatic optimization of wind turbine support structures is feasible under consideration of the simplified load approach. Even for complex, multi-member structures such as the considered jacket a weight reduction was achieved.
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ASME 2014 33rd International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering
June 8–13, 2014
San Francisco, California, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4554-7
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Support Structure Optimization for Offshore Wind Turbines With a Genetic Algorithm
Lucía Bárcena Pasamontes,
Lucía Bárcena Pasamontes
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Fernando Gómez Torres,
Fernando Gómez Torres
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Daniel Zwick,
Daniel Zwick
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Sebastian Schafhirt,
Sebastian Schafhirt
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Michael Muskulus
Michael Muskulus
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Lucía Bárcena Pasamontes
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Fernando Gómez Torres
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Daniel Zwick
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Sebastian Schafhirt
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Michael Muskulus
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Paper No:
OMAE2014-24252, V09BT09A033; 7 pages
Published Online:
October 1, 2014
Citation
Bárcena Pasamontes, L, Gómez Torres, F, Zwick, D, Schafhirt, S, & Muskulus, M. "Support Structure Optimization for Offshore Wind Turbines With a Genetic Algorithm." Proceedings of the ASME 2014 33rd International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering. Volume 9B: Ocean Renewable Energy. San Francisco, California, USA. June 8–13, 2014. V09BT09A033. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/OMAE2014-24252
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