Analysis of Fluid-Structure Coupling Characteristics of Semi-submersible Offshore Wind Turbines

Abstract

Based on the wind turbine data provided by the American National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the manuscript was used ProE to establish a 5 MW offshore semi-submersible wind turbine model. A two-way fluid-structure coupling simulation through simulation software was conducted. The research was based on the deformation and equivalent stress of the two-way fluid-structure coupling semi-submersible wind turbine blade during the coupling action. The shutdown state of the wind turbine and the operation of the wind turbine under different wind and wave conditions were analyzed. The analysis shows that the blade is the most important part of the wind turbine. As the speed of impeller increases, the deformation increases, and the peak value shifts to the left. The maximum equivalent stress of the wind wheel appears in the initial stage of operation. As time goes by, the stress finally stabilizes within a certain range. The degree of deformation of the blade increases with the increase of wind speed. During the operation of the wind turbine, the mooring line moves periodically with the float foundation. This research provides a reference for the safe and stable operation of offshore semi-submersible wind turbines, and at the same time provides a reference for the design of offshore semi-submersible wind turbines.

Keywords

• offshore wind power
• semi-submersible floating wind turbine
• fluid-structure coupling
• deformation
• equivalent stress