Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2024-167
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2024-167
14 Jan 2025
 | 14 Jan 2025
Status: a revised version of this preprint was accepted for the journal WES and is expected to appear here in due course.

Investigation into Instantaneous Centre of Rotation for Enhanced Design of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines

Katarzyna Patryniak, Maurizio Collu, Jason Jonkman, Matthew Hall, Garrett Barter, Daniel Zalkind, and Andrea Coraddu

Abstract. The dynamic behaviour of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWT) involves complex interactions of multivariate loads from wind, waves, and currents, which result in complex motion characteristics. Although methods for analysing global motion responses are well-established, the time- and location-dependent kinematics remain underexplored. This paper investigates the Instantaneous Centre of Rotation (ICR), a point of zero velocity at a time instance of general plane motion. Understanding and strategically positioning the ICR can reduce the dynamic motion in critical structural locations, enhancing the performance and structural robustness of FOWTs. The paper presents a method for computing the ICR using time domain simulation results and proposes a statistical analysis approach suitable for design studies. Building on prior research, it examines the sensitivity of the ICR to external loading and design features, providing insights into how these factors influence motion response and how the motion response influences the statistics of the ICR, structural loads, and other performance metrics of interest. The study explores two FOWT configurations, a spar and a semisubmersible, identifying design variables that most effectively control the ICR statistics and identifying the ICR statistics most correlated with the responses of interest. Finally, through two case studies, we demonstrate how to apply these new insights in a practical design scenario. By adjusting the design variables most correlated with the ICR (fairlead vertical position and centre of mass for the spar, and mooring line length and heave plate diameter for the semisubmersible), we successfully modified the designs of the floating support structures to reduce the loads in the mooring lines, tower base, and blade roots, improving the ultimate strength and fatigue characteristics as compared to the original designs.

Competing interests: At least one of the (co-)authors is a member of the editorial board of Wind Energy Science. The peer-review process was guided by an independent editor, and the authors also have no other competing interests to declare.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
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Katarzyna Patryniak, Maurizio Collu, Jason Jonkman, Matthew Hall, Garrett Barter, Daniel Zalkind, and Andrea Coraddu

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on wes-2024-167', Frank Lemmer, 15 Jan 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on CC1', Katarzyna Patryniak, 13 Feb 2025
  • RC1: 'Comment on wes-2024-167', Anonymous Referee #1, 30 Jan 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Katarzyna Patryniak, 02 Apr 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on wes-2024-167', Anonymous Referee #2, 02 Feb 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Katarzyna Patryniak, 02 Apr 2025

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on wes-2024-167', Frank Lemmer, 15 Jan 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on CC1', Katarzyna Patryniak, 13 Feb 2025
  • RC1: 'Comment on wes-2024-167', Anonymous Referee #1, 30 Jan 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Katarzyna Patryniak, 02 Apr 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on wes-2024-167', Anonymous Referee #2, 02 Feb 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Katarzyna Patryniak, 02 Apr 2025
Katarzyna Patryniak, Maurizio Collu, Jason Jonkman, Matthew Hall, Garrett Barter, Daniel Zalkind, and Andrea Coraddu
Katarzyna Patryniak, Maurizio Collu, Jason Jonkman, Matthew Hall, Garrett Barter, Daniel Zalkind, and Andrea Coraddu

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Short summary
This paper studies the Instantaneous Centre of Rotation (ICR) of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs). We present a method for computing the ICR and examine the correlations between the external loading, design features, ICR statistics, motions, and loads. We demonstrate how to apply the new insights to successfully modify the designs of the spar and semisubmersible FOWTs to reduce the loads in the moorings, the tower, and the blades, improving the ultimate strength and fatigue properties.
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