WO2010019050A1 - Foundation for an offshore wind turbine generator and method of constructing and installing the foundation - Google Patents

Foundation for an offshore wind turbine generator and method of constructing and installing the foundation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010019050A1
WO2010019050A1 PCT/NO2009/000285 NO2009000285W WO2010019050A1 WO 2010019050 A1 WO2010019050 A1 WO 2010019050A1 NO 2009000285 W NO2009000285 W NO 2009000285W WO 2010019050 A1 WO2010019050 A1 WO 2010019050A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
foundation
tower structure
tower
upper portion
wind turbine
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2009/000285
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John Meling
Tomas Einstabland
Trond LANDBØ
Original Assignee
Dr. Techn. Olav Olsen As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dr. Techn. Olav Olsen As filed Critical Dr. Techn. Olav Olsen As
Priority to EP09806896A priority Critical patent/EP2324240A4/en
Publication of WO2010019050A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010019050A1/en

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E02D27/32—Foundations for special purposes
    • E02D27/42—Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
    • E02B17/025—Reinforced concrete structures
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
    • E02B17/027—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto steel structures
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E02D27/32—Foundations for special purposes
    • E02D27/42—Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys
    • E02D27/425—Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys specially adapted for wind motors masts
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E02D27/32—Foundations for special purposes
    • E02D27/52—Submerged foundations, i.e. submerged in open water
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
    • F03D13/22—Foundations specially adapted for wind motors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0039—Methods for placing the offshore structure
    • E02B2017/0047—Methods for placing the offshore structure using a barge
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0056—Platforms with supporting legs
    • E02B2017/0065—Monopile structures
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0056—Platforms with supporting legs
    • E02B2017/0073—Details of sea bottom engaging footing
    • E02B2017/0082—Spudcans, skirts or extended feet
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0091—Offshore structures for wind turbines
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/728—Onshore wind turbines

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a foundation for an offshore wind turbine generator and a method of constructing and installing the foundation for a such wind turbine generator which is located preferably at sea depth above 45 meter.
  • jackets will, as mentioned above, be transported to the installation site and located there after which the wind mill tower etc. is mounted to jacket offshore.
  • This method will require comprehensive work offshore, which is a cost increasing factor since work offshore is substantially more costly than work onshore or at shore.
  • Another alternative is that the jacket and the wind mill structure are put together onshore, barge etc. and transported to the field by means of special installation vessels. However, this will also be a very costly operation.
  • An object of the present invention therefore is to provide a foundation for a wind turbine generator which solves the problem with regard to environmental loads, as stated above, and hence achieves a foundation having high stiffness and favourable dynamic characteristic which gives high effective life of the foundation and reduces fatigue in the mill tower itself.
  • wind mills are sensitive to dynamic and require low structural natural periods which differ from the frequency of the rotor blades itself in order to avoid fatigue of the steel tower in addition to the generator and the rotor blades itself.
  • the foundation should "survive" three-four mills in its effective lifetime and therefore having an additional value in addition to the mill itself since wind is a resource which will live in "all future”. Therefore, the foundation shall be used again for several mills.
  • the foundation shall be built and assembled with wind mill tower, generator and rotor in protected waters close to shore and shall be towed in a stable way to the installation site completely assembled.
  • Ballast of solid material shall also be supplied the structure preferably prior to tow out to the installation site, where only water ballast is required for submerging the structure at the installation site.
  • Offshore works are substantially more costly that onshore works or close to shore, such that costly work offshore shall be reduced to a minimum.
  • a third object is that the foundation shall be adapted to the soil conditions at the installation site.
  • a forth object is that the foundation shall have a relatively low weight, shall be simple to construct, could be adapted to the draft at the construction site and be suited for mass production of several wind mills for wind mill parks offshore and be cost efficient in relation to existing solutions.
  • a fifth object is that the foundation with or with out wind tower could be removed and towed to shore by deballasting the foundation.
  • a foundation for an offshore wind turbine generator preferably for sea depth above 45 metre, characterized in that the foundation in the construction, transport and installation phases is a self floating and stabile construction of reinforced concrete comprising:
  • - a hollow, substantially conical tower structure arranged on the foundation structure and having a lower external diameter less than the smallest transversal dimension of the foundation structure, since the diameter of the tower structure gradually decreases upwards toward the upper portion of the tower structure.
  • the object of the invention is achieved by a method of constructing and installing a foundation for a wind turbine generator offshore, substantially for sea depth above 45 meter, characterized in that:
  • a foundation structure of reinforced concrete in addition to a lower part of a substantially conical hollow tower structure of reinforced concrete, having a lower external diameter less than the smallest transversal dimension of the foundation structure is cast in a dry dock or on a barge, possibly onshore and is skidded over to a barge or out on a skid track running out into the sea,
  • the foundation structure including a lower part of the tower structure is made floating by filling water in the dry dock, by lowering the barge or by skidding out into sea,
  • the substantially conical tower structure including a substantially cylindrical upper portion, is slip casted in floating condition by ballasting with floating ballast and/or ballast of solid material
  • an interconnecting device for wind turbine generator is arranged on the upper portion of the tower structure
  • the wind turbine generator is mounted on the interconnecting device
  • the structure including the foundation and the tower structure is ballasted, towed to the installation site, lowered down to the sea bottom by supply of ballast and connected to the sea bottom.
  • figure 1 illustrates a foundation for wind mills including a foundation structure and a tower structure according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • figure 2 illustrates the foundation of figure 1 , but now with a partly cut off foundation structure
  • figure 3 illustrates a section of the foundation structure having a mounted mill tower
  • figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a foundation according to the invention, where the foundation structure itself now has another form than in the embodiment described in figure 1 , 2 and 3
  • figure 5 illustrates the foundation of figure 4 , but now in a partly cut off embodiment.
  • a foundation 1 for an offshore wind turbine generator consists of a foundation structure 5 and a hollow, substantially conical tower structure 15.
  • the diameter of the tower structure 15 decreases gradually upwards toward the wave zone of the foundation 1 and the tower structure 15 is across this area extended with a substantially cylindrical upward portion 20.
  • the tower structure 15 is in its upper portion 22 provided with interconnecting devices for a mill tower 25 including generator and rotor blades.
  • the foundation structure 5 may have a circular, square or any other shape.
  • the foundation structure 5 further comprises a bottom plate 6 having a centrically arranged cylindrical tower structure foundation 8 with exterior radial walls 9 extending from the tower structure foundation and to the outer edge of the bottom plate.
  • the bottom plate has an angular shape with inner diameter corresponding to the tower structure foundation 8 and with an outer diameter corresponding the outer diameter of the foundation structure.
  • the cylindrical tower structure foundation 8 is further provided with an internal downwardly directed dome structure 12 extending from the upper area of the tower structure foundation.
  • the bottom plate 6 is along its outer edge provided with vertical upwardly directed walls 10 with substantially the same height as the tower structure foundation 8 and the exterior radial walls 9, whereby a number of upward open box structures 11 are formed.
  • the box structures 11 are formed such that the room for ballast in the form of sand or alike is provided.
  • the form of the box structure is adapted such that solid ballast can be filled in a simple way from above into the open chambers.
  • the foundation structure 5 is further formed such that it can float in very shallow water which results in that it is possible to construct the foundation structure in a shallow dry dock or on a submergible barge. Ballast of solid material is preferably filled prior to towing to the field in order to avoid heavy expenses related to offshore work.
  • the foundation structure 5 is adapted to the soil conditions at the site.
  • the foundation structure 5 may consist of a flat bottom plate, possibly with ribs in order to direct the forces to the strongest areas.
  • skirts 7 will be utilized which penetrate into the earth to earth masses which are solid enough to withstand influence of waves, current and wind.
  • the foundation further consists of, as mentioned above, a conical tower structure 15 having a cylindrical upper portion 20.
  • the tower structure is as slender as possible in order to minimize wave loads, but the tower structure shall nevertheless provide sufficient strength and stiffness during the operation in addition to buoyancy and stability during towing to the field.
  • the foundation 1 is cast in reinforced concrete in order to achieve good stiffness qualities, good fatigue qualities and long life time.
  • connecting devices are provided for a mill tower 25 which will be in steel.
  • the interconnecting devices can include possibilities for adjusting the verticality of the mill tower 25.
  • Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the foundation 1 according to the invention. This embodiment differs substantially from the first in that it is provided with a complete bottom plate 6 under the whole structure and not an annular bottom plate 6 according to the first embodiment.
  • the previously discussed dome structure 12 extending from the upper portion of the tower structure foundation is here deleted.
  • the tower structure foundation 8 is here reinforced with the exterior and interior radial diagonal struts 13 extending from the tower structure foundation and down towards the bottom plate.
  • This second embodiment of the foundation 1 will thus not be provided with the open box structures 11 as in the first embodiment.
  • the second embodiment of the foundation will thus not be provided with ballast external in the open box structures 11 as in the first embodiment of the foundation.
  • Ballast of solid material will in this embodiment of the foundation 1 be filled internally in the tower structure foundation and possibly in the lower part of the conical tower structure 15.
  • the foundation structure 5 of reinforced concrete in addition to the lower part of the substantially conical shaped hollow tower structure 15 of reinforced concrete are casted in a dry dock or on a barge, possibly onshore and skidded onto a barge or on to a skid track running out in the sea after which the foundation structure 5 including lower part of the tower structure 15 is made floating by filling water into the dry dock, by submerging the barge or by skidding out into the sea after which the structure is anchored at deeper water.
  • the substantially conical shaped tower structure 15 including a substantially cylindrical upper portion 20 is slip casted in floating condition by ballasting with lliquid ballast and/or ballast of solid material.
  • an interconnecting device is provided for the mill tower 25 on the upper portion 22 of the tower structure after which the mill tower 25 is mounted on the interconnecting device and one or several wind mills is (are) mounted to the mill tower.
  • the structure including the foundation 1 and the tower structure 15 in addition to the wind turbine generator is ballasted to required draught, towed to the installation site, lowered to the sea bottom by supplying ballast (sea water) and connected to the sea bottom.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

Foundation (1) for an offshore wind turbine generator, preferably for sea depth above (45) metre, and a method of constructing and installing the foundation (1). The foundation (1) in the construction, transport and installation phases is a self floating and stabile construction of reinforced concrete comprising: - a foundation structure (5), - a hollow, substantially conical tower structure (15) ()arranged on the foundation structure (5) and having a lower external diameter less than the smallest transversal dimension of the foundation structure, since the diameter of the tower structure gradually decreases upwards toward the upper portion (20) of the tower structure.

Description

Foundation for an offshore wind turbine generator and method of constructing and installing the foundation
The present invention concerns a foundation for an offshore wind turbine generator and a method of constructing and installing the foundation for a such wind turbine generator which is located preferably at sea depth above 45 meter.
It is previously known to locate wind turbine generators or wind mills offshore at water depth up to 45 meter. Frame work structures of steel such as "jackets" have been utilized as foundation structure. Such foundation structures will normally be constructed onshore, towed out to the location site, submerged and anchored to the bottom, for example by piling. Wind mill including tower structure, generator and rotor blades will then be mounted on the foundation structure at the installation site offshore.
Such jackets will, as mentioned above, be transported to the installation site and located there after which the wind mill tower etc. is mounted to jacket offshore. This method will require comprehensive work offshore, which is a cost increasing factor since work offshore is substantially more costly than work onshore or at shore. Another alternative is that the jacket and the wind mill structure are put together onshore, barge etc. and transported to the field by means of special installation vessels. However, this will also be a very costly operation.
When establishing a foundation of wind mills at larger sea depth, preferably above 45 m, considerations must be taken to a combination of a large number of loads which will act on the structure, for example wind, waves, current and earth quake. The natural periods of foundation and wind mills and the fatigue etc. also create large challenges when calculating and designing such structures.
An object of the present invention therefore is to provide a foundation for a wind turbine generator which solves the problem with regard to environmental loads, as stated above, and hence achieves a foundation having high stiffness and favourable dynamic characteristic which gives high effective life of the foundation and reduces fatigue in the mill tower itself. In this connection it should be mentioned that wind mills are sensitive to dynamic and require low structural natural periods which differ from the frequency of the rotor blades itself in order to avoid fatigue of the steel tower in addition to the generator and the rotor blades itself. The foundation should "survive" three-four mills in its effective lifetime and therefore having an additional value in addition to the mill itself since wind is a resource which will live in "all future". Therefore, the foundation shall be used again for several mills.
Another object is that the foundation shall be built and assembled with wind mill tower, generator and rotor in protected waters close to shore and shall be towed in a stable way to the installation site completely assembled. Ballast of solid material shall also be supplied the structure preferably prior to tow out to the installation site, where only water ballast is required for submerging the structure at the installation site. Offshore works are substantially more costly that onshore works or close to shore, such that costly work offshore shall be reduced to a minimum.
A third object is that the foundation shall be adapted to the soil conditions at the installation site.
A forth object is that the foundation shall have a relatively low weight, shall be simple to construct, could be adapted to the draft at the construction site and be suited for mass production of several wind mills for wind mill parks offshore and be cost efficient in relation to existing solutions.
A fifth object is that the foundation with or with out wind tower could be removed and towed to shore by deballasting the foundation.
The objects of the present invention are achieved by a foundation for an offshore wind turbine generator, preferably for sea depth above 45 metre, characterized in that the foundation in the construction, transport and installation phases is a self floating and stabile construction of reinforced concrete comprising:
- a foundation structure,
- a hollow, substantially conical tower structure arranged on the foundation structure and having a lower external diameter less than the smallest transversal dimension of the foundation structure, since the diameter of the tower structure gradually decreases upwards toward the upper portion of the tower structure.
Preferred embodiments of the foundation are further specified in the claims 2 to 13.
Further, the object of the invention is achieved by a method of constructing and installing a foundation for a wind turbine generator offshore, substantially for sea depth above 45 meter, characterized in that:
- a foundation structure of reinforced concrete in addition to a lower part of a substantially conical hollow tower structure of reinforced concrete, having a lower external diameter less than the smallest transversal dimension of the foundation structure is cast in a dry dock or on a barge, possibly onshore and is skidded over to a barge or out on a skid track running out into the sea,
- the foundation structure including a lower part of the tower structure is made floating by filling water in the dry dock, by lowering the barge or by skidding out into sea,
- the substantially conical tower structure including a substantially cylindrical upper portion, is slip casted in floating condition by ballasting with floating ballast and/or ballast of solid material,
- an interconnecting device for wind turbine generator is arranged on the upper portion of the tower structure,
- the wind turbine generator is mounted on the interconnecting device,
- the structure including the foundation and the tower structure is ballasted, towed to the installation site, lowered down to the sea bottom by supply of ballast and connected to the sea bottom.
The invention is further described with reference to the attached drawings wherein: figure 1 illustrates a foundation for wind mills including a foundation structure and a tower structure according to a first embodiment of the invention, figure 2 illustrates the foundation of figure 1 , but now with a partly cut off foundation structure figure 3 illustrates a section of the foundation structure having a mounted mill tower, figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a foundation according to the invention, where the foundation structure itself now has another form than in the embodiment described in figure 1 , 2 and 3, and figure 5 illustrates the foundation of figure 4 , but now in a partly cut off embodiment.
With reference to the figures, particularly figure 1 , 2 and 3, a foundation 1 for an offshore wind turbine generator consists of a foundation structure 5 and a hollow, substantially conical tower structure 15. The diameter of the tower structure 15 decreases gradually upwards toward the wave zone of the foundation 1 and the tower structure 15 is across this area extended with a substantially cylindrical upward portion 20. The tower structure 15 is in its upper portion 22 provided with interconnecting devices for a mill tower 25 including generator and rotor blades. The foundation structure 5 may have a circular, square or any other shape. The foundation structure 5 further comprises a bottom plate 6 having a centrically arranged cylindrical tower structure foundation 8 with exterior radial walls 9 extending from the tower structure foundation and to the outer edge of the bottom plate. In the shown embodiment, see particularly figure 2, the bottom plate has an angular shape with inner diameter corresponding to the tower structure foundation 8 and with an outer diameter corresponding the outer diameter of the foundation structure. The cylindrical tower structure foundation 8 is further provided with an internal downwardly directed dome structure 12 extending from the upper area of the tower structure foundation. The bottom plate 6 is along its outer edge provided with vertical upwardly directed walls 10 with substantially the same height as the tower structure foundation 8 and the exterior radial walls 9, whereby a number of upward open box structures 11 are formed. The box structures 11 are formed such that the room for ballast in the form of sand or alike is provided. The form of the box structure is adapted such that solid ballast can be filled in a simple way from above into the open chambers. The foundation structure 5 is further formed such that it can float in very shallow water which results in that it is possible to construct the foundation structure in a shallow dry dock or on a submergible barge. Ballast of solid material is preferably filled prior to towing to the field in order to avoid heavy expenses related to offshore work.
The foundation structure 5 is adapted to the soil conditions at the site. When the soil conditions are solid the foundation structure 5 may consist of a flat bottom plate, possibly with ribs in order to direct the forces to the strongest areas. When the soil conditions are soft so-called skirts 7 will be utilized which penetrate into the earth to earth masses which are solid enough to withstand influence of waves, current and wind.
The foundation further consists of, as mentioned above, a conical tower structure 15 having a cylindrical upper portion 20. The tower structure is as slender as possible in order to minimize wave loads, but the tower structure shall nevertheless provide sufficient strength and stiffness during the operation in addition to buoyancy and stability during towing to the field. The foundation 1 is cast in reinforced concrete in order to achieve good stiffness qualities, good fatigue qualities and long life time. In the upper portion 22 of the tower structure connecting devices are provided for a mill tower 25 which will be in steel. The interconnecting devices can include possibilities for adjusting the verticality of the mill tower 25.
Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the foundation 1 according to the invention. This embodiment differs substantially from the first in that it is provided with a complete bottom plate 6 under the whole structure and not an annular bottom plate 6 according to the first embodiment. The previously discussed dome structure 12 extending from the upper portion of the tower structure foundation is here deleted.
The tower structure foundation 8 is here reinforced with the exterior and interior radial diagonal struts 13 extending from the tower structure foundation and down towards the bottom plate. This second embodiment of the foundation 1 will thus not be provided with the open box structures 11 as in the first embodiment. The second embodiment of the foundation will thus not be provided with ballast external in the open box structures 11 as in the first embodiment of the foundation. Ballast of solid material will in this embodiment of the foundation 1 be filled internally in the tower structure foundation and possibly in the lower part of the conical tower structure 15.
Constructing the foundation 1 will be carried out two main phases. Firstly, the foundation structure 5 of reinforced concrete in addition to the lower part of the substantially conical shaped hollow tower structure 15 of reinforced concrete are casted in a dry dock or on a barge, possibly onshore and skidded onto a barge or on to a skid track running out in the sea after which the foundation structure 5 including lower part of the tower structure 15 is made floating by filling water into the dry dock, by submerging the barge or by skidding out into the sea after which the structure is anchored at deeper water. In the second main phase the substantially conical shaped tower structure 15 including a substantially cylindrical upper portion 20 is slip casted in floating condition by ballasting with lliquid ballast and/or ballast of solid material. Further an interconnecting device is provided for the mill tower 25 on the upper portion 22 of the tower structure after which the mill tower 25 is mounted on the interconnecting device and one or several wind mills is (are) mounted to the mill tower. The structure including the foundation 1 and the tower structure 15 in addition to the wind turbine generator is ballasted to required draught, towed to the installation site, lowered to the sea bottom by supplying ballast (sea water) and connected to the sea bottom.

Claims

Claims
1. Foundation (1 ) for an offshore wind turbine generator, preferably for sea depth above 45 metre, characterized in that the foundation (1) in the construction, transport and installation phases is a self floating and stabile construction of reinforced concrete comprising:
- a foundation structure (5),
- a hollow, substantially conical tower structure (15) arranged on the foundation structure (5) and having a lower external diameter less than the smallest transversal dimension of the foundation structure, since the diameter of the tower structure gradually decreases upwards toward the upper portion (20) of the tower structure.
2. Foundation (1) according to claim 1, characterized i n that the foundation structure (5) is circular.
3. Foundation (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the foundation structure (5) is square.
4. Foundation (1) according to claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the foundation structure (5) comprises a bottom plate (6) having a centrical arranged cylindrical tower structure foundation (8) with exterior radial walls (9) extending from the tower structure foundation and to the outer edge of the bottom plate.
5. Foundation (1) according to claim 4, characterized i n that the tower structure foundation (8) further is provided with exterior and interior radial diagonal struts (13) extending from the upper area of the tower structure foundation and down to the exterior radial walls (9) and down towards the bottom plate (6).
6. Foundation (1) according to claim 4, characterized i n that the cylindrical tower structure foundation (8) is provided with an internal downwardly directed dome structure (12) extending from the upper portion of the tower structure foundation.
7. Foundation (1) according to claims 4 or 6, characterized i n that the bottom plate (6) along its outer edge is provided with a vertical upwardly directed walls (10) with substantially the same height as the tower structure foundation (8) and the exterior radial walls (9), whereby a number of upwardly directed open box structures (11) are formed.
8. Foundation (1) according to claims 4, 5 or 6, characterized i n that ballast of solid material is provided inside the foundation structure (5) and possibly in the lower area of the tower structure (15).
9. Foundation (1) according to claim 7, characterized i n that ballast of solid material is provided inside the external box structures (11).
10. Foundation (1 ) according to one of the claims 4-9, characterized in that the bottom plate structure (6) is provided with ribs or skirts (7) in its bottom area.
11. Foundation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized i n that the tower structure (15) in its upper portion (22) is provided with interconnecting devices for a mill tower.
12. Foundation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized i n that the tower structure (15) having its smallest exterior diameter at an elevation corresponding to the wave zone at the actual installation site.
13. Foundation (1) according to claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the tower structure (15) above the wave zone is extended by a substantially cylindrical upper portion (20).
14. Method of constructing and installing a foundation for a wind turbine generator offshore, substantially for sea depth above 45 meter, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that:
- a foundation structure (5) of reinforced concrete in addition to a lower part of a substantially conical hollow tower structure (15) of reinforced concrete, having a lower external diameter less than the smallest transversal dimension of the foundation structure is cast in a dry dock or on a barge, possibly on shore and is skidded over to a barge or out on a skid track running out into the sea,
- the foundation structure (5) including a lower part of the tower structure (15) is made floating by filling water in the dry dock, by lowering the barge or by skidding out into sea,
- the substantially conical tower structure (15) including a substantially cylindrical upper portion (20), is slip casted in floating condition by ballasting with floating ballast and/or ballast of solid material,
- an interconnecting device for wind turbine generator is arranged on the upper portion (22) of the tower structure,
- the wind turbine generator is mounted on the interconnecting device,
- the structure including the foundation (1) and the tower structure (15) is ballasted, towed to the installation site, lowered down to the sea bottom by supply of ballast and connected to the sea bottom.
PCT/NO2009/000285 2008-08-14 2009-08-12 Foundation for an offshore wind turbine generator and method of constructing and installing the foundation WO2010019050A1 (en)

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CN102268879A (en) * 2011-05-25 2011-12-07 江苏道达海上风电工程科技有限公司 Base structure of offshore anemometer tower and installation method thereof
CN102561521A (en) * 2010-12-14 2012-07-11 贵阳铝镁设计研究院有限公司 Bolt deviation correction method
CN102777335A (en) * 2012-07-23 2012-11-14 上海交通大学 Mounting device for offshore wind generating set based on six-dimensional intelligent mechanical legs
GB2501123A (en) * 2012-04-13 2013-10-16 Laing O Rourke Plc Submerged foundation with ballast
US20130269270A1 (en) * 2008-06-13 2013-10-17 Tindall Corporation Base support for wind-driven power generators
WO2014060650A3 (en) * 2012-10-18 2014-07-31 Stx Finland Oy Offshore structure
ES2524840A1 (en) * 2014-06-06 2014-12-12 Esteyco Energía Foundation system for towers and installation procedure of the foundation system for towers (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
JP2015521710A (en) * 2012-06-28 2015-07-30 アルストム レノバブレス エスパーニャ， エセ．エレ． Floating offshore wind turbine with damping structure
WO2015120227A1 (en) * 2014-02-06 2015-08-13 University Of Maine System Board Of Trustees Method of assembling a floating wind turbine platform
EP2930273A1 (en) * 2014-04-07 2015-10-14 Koninklijke BAM Groep N.V. Gravity based foundation for an offshore installation
WO2016122327A1 (en) 2015-01-28 2016-08-04 Nes Nils Asbjørn A wind power plant
ES2593263A1 (en) * 2015-06-05 2016-12-07 Iberdrola Renovables Energía, S.A. Gravity foundation system for the installation of wind turbines or offshore installations and procedure for the installation of a wind turbine foundation system or offshore installations (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
WO2018150063A1 (en) 2017-02-14 2018-08-23 Berenguer Ingenieros S.L. Maritime structure for laying the foundations of buildings, installations and wind turbines by means of gravity in a marine environment
CN110158640A (en) * 2019-06-12 2019-08-23 长江勘测规划设计研究有限责任公司 Constructing structure and construction method are built in offshore wind farm bucket foundation water
CN110331734A (en) * 2019-07-05 2019-10-15 天津大学前沿技术研究院 A kind of cylinder-shaped foundation structure excavates offshore construction method in advance
JP2020020209A (en) * 2018-08-02 2020-02-06 中村物産有限会社 Sea bottom installation-type foundation structure
ES2785802A1 (en) * 2019-04-05 2020-10-07 Esteyco S A INSTALLATION PROCEDURE OF A TORRE MAR INTO WIND GENERATOR (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
CN111764395A (en) * 2020-07-06 2020-10-13 华电重工股份有限公司 Installation method of cylindrical foundation
EP3767035A1 (en) * 2019-07-18 2021-01-20 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Method for assembling an offshore wind turbine, tower foundation for an offshore wind turbine and offshore wind turbine
EP4060121A1 (en) * 2021-03-18 2022-09-21 Subsea 7 Limited Subsea foundations
WO2023006955A1 (en) * 2021-07-30 2023-02-02 Lak Mohammad Amin Gravity based foundation
JP7492283B1 (en) 2022-11-24 2024-05-29 株式会社四国Ｇａ Method for constructing bottom-fixed offshore mounting system, bottom-fixed offshore mounting system, and offshore wind power generation device
EP4386144A1 (en) * 2022-12-12 2024-06-19 Aker Solutions AS Method and associated apparatus

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US20130269270A1 (en) * 2008-06-13 2013-10-17 Tindall Corporation Base support for wind-driven power generators
US8733045B2 (en) * 2008-06-13 2014-05-27 Tindall Corporation Base support for wind-driven power generators
CN102561521A (en) * 2010-12-14 2012-07-11 贵阳铝镁设计研究院有限公司 Bolt deviation correction method
CN102268879A (en) * 2011-05-25 2011-12-07 江苏道达海上风电工程科技有限公司 Base structure of offshore anemometer tower and installation method thereof
GB2501123A (en) * 2012-04-13 2013-10-16 Laing O Rourke Plc Submerged foundation with ballast
GB2501123B (en) * 2012-04-13 2014-09-10 Laing O Rourke Plc Foundation structures
JP2015521710A (en) * 2012-06-28 2015-07-30 アルストム レノバブレス エスパーニャ， エセ．エレ． Floating offshore wind turbine with damping structure
US9522716B2 (en) 2012-06-28 2016-12-20 Alstom Renewable Technologies Floating offshore wind turbine with damping structure
CN102777335A (en) * 2012-07-23 2012-11-14 上海交通大学 Mounting device for offshore wind generating set based on six-dimensional intelligent mechanical legs
WO2014060650A3 (en) * 2012-10-18 2014-07-31 Stx Finland Oy Offshore structure
US10518846B2 (en) 2014-02-06 2019-12-31 University Of Maine System Board Of Trustees Method of mooring floating wind turbine platforms
US11352098B2 (en) 2014-02-06 2022-06-07 University Of Maine System Board Of Trustees Method of assembling a floating wind turbine platform
US10336404B2 (en) 2014-02-06 2019-07-02 University Of Maine System Board Of Trustees Method of assembling a floating wind turbine platform
WO2015120227A1 (en) * 2014-02-06 2015-08-13 University Of Maine System Board Of Trustees Method of assembling a floating wind turbine platform
NL2012573A (en) * 2014-04-07 2016-01-13 Koninklijke Bam Groep Nv Gravity based foundation for an offshore installation.
EP2930273A1 (en) * 2014-04-07 2015-10-14 Koninklijke BAM Groep N.V. Gravity based foundation for an offshore installation
ES2524840A1 (en) * 2014-06-06 2014-12-12 Esteyco Energía Foundation system for towers and installation procedure of the foundation system for towers (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
CN106661855A (en) * 2014-06-06 2017-05-10 艾斯泰科股份公司 Foundations system for towers and method for installing the foundations system for towers
WO2015185770A1 (en) * 2014-06-06 2015-12-10 Esteyco S.A.P Foundations system for towers and method for installing the foundations system for towers
US10822765B2 (en) 2014-06-06 2020-11-03 Esteyco S.A.P. Foundations system for towers and method for installing the foundations system for towers
CN106661855B (en) * 2014-06-06 2019-11-22 艾斯泰科股份公司 The installation method of the ground based system of the ground based system and tower of tower
WO2016122327A1 (en) 2015-01-28 2016-08-04 Nes Nils Asbjørn A wind power plant
US10451028B2 (en) 2015-01-28 2019-10-22 Quick Response As Wind power plant
ES2593263A1 (en) * 2015-06-05 2016-12-07 Iberdrola Renovables Energía, S.A. Gravity foundation system for the installation of wind turbines or offshore installations and procedure for the installation of a wind turbine foundation system or offshore installations (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
WO2018150063A1 (en) 2017-02-14 2018-08-23 Berenguer Ingenieros S.L. Maritime structure for laying the foundations of buildings, installations and wind turbines by means of gravity in a marine environment
JP2020020209A (en) * 2018-08-02 2020-02-06 中村物産有限会社 Sea bottom installation-type foundation structure
ES2785802A1 (en) * 2019-04-05 2020-10-07 Esteyco S A INSTALLATION PROCEDURE OF A TORRE MAR INTO WIND GENERATOR (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
WO2020201605A1 (en) * 2019-04-05 2020-10-08 Esteyco S.A. Method for the installation of an offshore wind turbine tower
CN110158640A (en) * 2019-06-12 2019-08-23 长江勘测规划设计研究有限责任公司 Constructing structure and construction method are built in offshore wind farm bucket foundation water
CN110331734A (en) * 2019-07-05 2019-10-15 天津大学前沿技术研究院 A kind of cylinder-shaped foundation structure excavates offshore construction method in advance
CN110331734B (en) * 2019-07-05 2021-01-12 天津大学前沿技术研究院 Cylindrical foundation structure pre-excavation offshore construction method
EP3767035A1 (en) * 2019-07-18 2021-01-20 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Method for assembling an offshore wind turbine, tower foundation for an offshore wind turbine and offshore wind turbine
WO2021008748A1 (en) * 2019-07-18 2021-01-21 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Method for assembling an offshore wind turbine, tower foundation for an offshore wind turbine and offshore wind turbine
CN111764395A (en) * 2020-07-06 2020-10-13 华电重工股份有限公司 Installation method of cylindrical foundation
EP4060121A1 (en) * 2021-03-18 2022-09-21 Subsea 7 Limited Subsea foundations
GB2604909A (en) * 2021-03-18 2022-09-21 Subsea 7 Ltd Subsea foundations
WO2023006955A1 (en) * 2021-07-30 2023-02-02 Lak Mohammad Amin Gravity based foundation
JP7492283B1 (en) 2022-11-24 2024-05-29 株式会社四国Ｇａ Method for constructing bottom-fixed offshore mounting system, bottom-fixed offshore mounting system, and offshore wind power generation device
EP4386144A1 (en) * 2022-12-12 2024-06-19 Aker Solutions AS Method and associated apparatus

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NO20083537L (en) 2010-02-15
EP2324240A4 (en) 2012-04-25
EP2324240A1 (en) 2011-05-25
NO329946B1 (en) 2011-01-31
NO329946B2 (en) 2011-01-31

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