Offshore Wind Turbines Situated in Strong Sea Currents - Completed

Goal
Description
Mile Stones
Results		Presentation Sheet

Goal
Offshore wind turbines represent a segment of the wind energy industry experiencing enormous growth and which has the potential for further growth. Nontheless, these offshore installations have significant technical, environmental, and economic challenges. One of these challenges is the problem of installing offshore wind turbines in areas of strong currents and breaking waves. This problem requires extraordinary technical solutions to both the design of the wind turbines construction and the foundation which it rests upon. The strong currents in "shallow" waters have the unfortunate effect of rapid erosion and subsequent weakening of the wind turbine foundation structures. Through research, an efficient technical solution should be found to this problem. Results of the project will be presented at a seminar organized by OCD, AUE, and Rambøll. Furthermore the results should be available for use as course material for Aalborg University Esbjerg and may be used to develop educational training programs for personnel in the offshore wind turbine industry.

Description
Participants: Vestas, Aalborg University Esbjerg, Aalborg University, Rambøll, The Danish Hydraulic Institute (DHI), A2SEA and Offshore Center Danmark.

To analyze the extent of the problem concerning the raising of structures in an environment of strong sea currents, with the inevitable problem of the scour effect (seabed errosion). Another intent of the project is to develop a method for calculating the breaking of waves around structures.

Mile Stones
1. Project expectations and limitations. Report after 3 months.
2. Laboratory tests. Report after 9 months.
3. Consequence Analysis. Report after 11 months.
4. Final documentation. Report after 12 months.
5. Seminar organized by OCD in cooperation with AUE. Seminar after 14 months.

Results