FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE WITH CARDAN SUSPENSION

Carlos Armenta-Deu

Abstract

This paper describes a new structural design for a vertical axis floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT). The wind turbine consists of bowl-shaped blades set arranged circularly around a vertical axis on which they rotate due to the wind effect. A cardan mechanism supports the set and maintains the wind turbine in horizontal position despite the wave movement. The proposed wind turbine increases the power generation by 10% for a maximum wind angle incidence of 15º and improves its energy efficiency by 2.2%, on average, for laminar winds. The new design shows the advantage of working for laminar and turbulent winds, increasing the power gain by a factor that depends on the turbulent coefficient. Simulation tests confirm that the power ratio for turbulent winds may reach up to 2.0, which represents a significant enhancement of the wind turbine performance. This type of wind turbine is suitable for empty spaces in marine wind farms, where turbulences due to the vortex effects generated by giant wind turbines are the driving force for the new turbines.

Abstract

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