Preliminary Study on the Optimum Design of a Tension Leg Platform for Offshore Wind Turbine Systems

Abstract

We demonstrate a procedure for determining the configuration of a tension leg platform (TLP) on which a 2.4 MW wind turbine can be installed. Various sizes of the structural elements of the TLP are examined to investigate their effects on tendon tension and response acceleration at the top of the tower. It is shown that although increasing the volume of the peripheral column reduces the acceleration response, it amplifies the tendon tension, while increasing the span length between the center and peripheral columns reduces both of them. Furthermore, the relevant determination of the initial tension is investigated.

Keywords

• offshore wind energy
• tension leg platform
• initial tension
• acceleration
• displacement
• tendon