Description
The offshore wind market worldwide is currently dominated by bottom-fixed wind turbine structures. Currently in Europe, there are only two full-scale floating projects operating, based in different floating technologies. There are another floating solutions, based on tension leg platforms (TLP) that present important advantages such as a better stability & dynamic behavior, as well as a lower steel weight. Nevertheless, these solutions have a drawback to be solved before their deployment in the offshore wind business, which is the complexity of the mooring system. In order to solve this problem the objective of the project is to analyze the correct performance of the TLP substructures for different sites in deeper waters, to perform a conceptual development of a TLP foundation and also evaluate different alternatives for the mooring system as well as its “bespoke” installation system. These actions would be performed to identify the functional requirements of the subsystem and to modify its final design when needed with the final objective of driving down costs and risks from these technologies.
Summary of project results
The offshore wind market worldwide is currently dominated by bottom-fixed wind turbine structures. There are essentially three types of floating support structures. Nevertheless, these solutions have an important drawback to solve for their massive deployment in the offshore wind business that is the complexity of the mooring system. This is why TLPWIND focused on developing such studies and developments for the mooring system of Offshore Renewables´ TLPs. TLPWIND project has aimed to get the technology consolidation. To carry it out, its main objective was to research and develop taut mooring systems for TLP floating foundation applicable to other developments in the offshore wind business which has allowed to reduce the cost and the technology risks associated to their design, their construction and their installation.
Summary of bilateral results