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ENERGIX-Stort program energi

Mooring Optimization for Large Floating Wind Turbines

Alternative title: Optimalisering av forankringssystem til store flytende vindturbiner

Awarded: NOK 2.3 mill.

Project Number:

317781

Project Period:

2020 - 2022

Funding received from:

Mooring Optimization for Large Floating Wind Turbines This project aims to conduct a mooring optimization study for a floating 15 MW wind turbine. The wind turbine will be taken as the 15 MW NREL Reference Turbine and the floater will be based on NOVs own Tri-Floater design, which NOV GustoMSC is presently optimizing with respect to cost. This study will assess the effect on the floater, the mooring system and the power cable system for three sites reflecting different water depths with typical associated met-ocean conditions. The study will also investigate an arrangement to minimize damaging consequences to the power cables due to failure in the mooring system. The project will be a cooperation between 3 different NOV locations.

The project is particularly well fitted to support UN sustainable goals 7 Affordable and Clean Energy and 13 Climate action. Bringing the FOW to the next level with focus on cost reduction, risk reduction and safety. The project will also be a driver for helping a traditional O&G supplier as NOV creating business opportunities into the renewable market. Further the project will be a driver for European cooperation and the first real project making 3 different European NOV locations working together. Experience from the project will be valuable for further FOW projects applications such as Green Deal, Horizon Europe, Fast Track to innovation or others. The project will support Norwegian industry and workplaces. NOV APL will aim to be a preferred supplier for mooring systems for the total FOW market. The project will create opportunities for NOV to deliver a detailed design of the Tri-Floater and development of maintenance and installation equipment.

Floating wind turbine power plants are part of the fast-emerging renewable energy markets, and the overall ambition of this project is to realize a cost-effective mooring and power cable solution for large floating wind turbines. Floating wind turbines need to be anchored to the seabed by mooring systems, typically comprising same type of components as used for mooring floaters in the offshore oil & gas industry. However, since the consequence of failure in the mooring system for a floating wind turbine is mainly an economic risk, with none or very limited risk for human injuries/casualties and pollution, the accepted safety level of these mooring systems is generally lower than for the oil & gas industry. Further, the overall drive for any cost reduction for these power plants leads to high focus on finding optimized mooring system for these floating wind turbines. This project aims to conduct a mooring optimization study for a floating wind turbine comprising the Tri-Floater from NOV GustoMSC with the 15 MW NREL Reference Turbine. NOVs own Tri-Floater design will be used as a basis. NOV GustoMSC is about to finalize an optimized, cost effective Tri-Floater concept design. This study will assess the effect on the floater, the mooring system and the power cable system for three sites reflecting different water depths with typical associated met-ocean conditions. The study will also investigate an arrangement to minimize damaging consequences to the power cables due to failure in the mooring system

Funding scheme:

ENERGIX-Stort program energi