Floating wind turbines are primarily installed by being moored to the seabed with multiple mooring lines and anchors. This method ensures they stay in position despite wind and wave forces.
Unlike traditional offshore wind turbines that are fixed directly to the seabed (like monopiles or jackets), floating turbines are designed to operate in deeper waters where fixed foundations are not economically or technically feasible. Their installation focuses on securing the floating structure to the ocean floor.
Key Aspects of Floating Wind Turbine Installation (Based on Reference)
Based on the provided information, the core method involves a robust mooring system.
- Mooring System: Floating turbines utilize multiple mooring lines connected to anchors on the seabed.
- Multiple Mooring Lines: Using several lines provides redundancy and distributes the forces acting on the turbine from wind, waves, and currents.
- Anchors: Various anchor types are used depending on the seabed conditions, such as drag anchors, suction anchors, or gravity anchors, designed to provide sufficient holding power.
- Similarity to Floating Oil Platforms: The technique is explicitly compared to how floating oil platforms are secured. This highlights the established nature of this mooring technology in offshore environments.
Stability and Operation
Once moored, stability is crucial for power generation and structural integrity. The reference also mentions the role of advanced control systems:
- Motion Controllers: These systems actively stabilize the turbine.
- Blade Regulation: Controllers adjust the pitch and speed of the turbine blades.
- Optimising Power Production: This regulation helps maintain optimal performance.
- Reducing Stress: It minimizes stress on the tower, the floating substructure, and the critical mooring lines, extending their lifespan and ensuring safety.
In essence, the installation, as described in the reference, centers on securely anchoring the floating structure using robust mooring lines and anchors, supported by active control systems to maintain stability and performance.
