Posters

Abstract

In the rapidly evolving field of floating wind technology, developers are keen on making informed investment decisions by comparing floating platform performance from different suppliers fairly. Floating wind will only scale if we compare platforms on a level field, and that fairness begins with the controller and the understanding of the dynamics linking the turbine / floater integrated system. The value and criticality of proper controller tuning in these evaluations still remains unknown to many developers, leading to decisions based on distorted performance insights. Floating systems present unique challenges compared to fixed-bottom foundation systems, primarily due to the dynamic coupling between the turbine and the floating platform. When a fixed foundation turbine controller is directly applied onto a floating system, or if identical tuning is used across different floating platforms, the comparison becomes biased, as loads look worse than they truly can be, motions appear excessive, and designs get pushed toward unnecessary mass and cost. Using a 15 MW-240 m rotor wind turbine model we compare the use of a fixed-bottom foundation controller on a semi submersible floater, and a spar floater configuration. We then go a step further and show how combined controller and floating system tuning significantly affects results by enhancing overall performance in different important metrics while enabling fatigue and extreme loads to be within comparable envelopes. We use realistic algorithms that have direct applicability to real life projects. To objectively evaluate floating wind concepts and enable confident investment decisions in project development, developers and investors require fairly tuned controllers with comparable assumptions, and standard reporting metrics.