WO2021190885A1 - Using tidal currents for optimizing production in a floating wind turbine - Google Patents

Using tidal currents for optimizing production in a floating wind turbine Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021190885A1
WO2021190885A1 PCT/EP2021/055268 EP2021055268W WO2021190885A1 WO 2021190885 A1 WO2021190885 A1 WO 2021190885A1 EP 2021055268 W EP2021055268 W EP 2021055268W WO 2021190885 A1 WO2021190885 A1 WO 2021190885A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mooring line
floating
wind turbine
wind
water current
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2021/055268
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Thomas Esbensen
Pieter M. O. Gebraad
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy AS
Original Assignee
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy 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 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy AS filed Critical Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy AS
Publication of WO2021190885A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021190885A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
    • F03B13/264—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B21/50—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers
    • 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
    • F03D13/25—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors specially adapted for offshore installation
    • 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
    • F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/30—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/32—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations on moving objects, e.g. vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B63B2035/4433—Floating structures carrying electric power plants
    • B63B2035/446—Floating structures carrying electric power plants for converting wind energy into electric energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/93—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a structure floating on a liquid surface
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/95—Mounting on supporting structures or systems offshore
    • 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
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
    • 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
    • Y02E10/727—Offshore 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
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of production in a floating wind turbine.
  • Tidal currents create currents in the oceans near the shore and in bays and estuaries along the coast. These currents are called “tidal currents”. Tidal currents change in a regular pattern and can be predicted for future dates. Tidal currents can move in an opposite direction to the wind, in which case the waves move with the wind while the tide moves in the opposite direction, but at larger depth.
  • the floating wind turbine installation comprises:
  • first mooring line and a second mooring line connecting the floating foundation to a fixed structure, the first mooring line being upstream the floating wind turbine with respect to a water current direction, the second mooring line being downstream the floating wind turbine with respect to said water current direction, the length of the first mooring line and the second mooring line being variable, the first mooring line and the second mooring line being arrange- able at respective first and second middle lengths for hold ing the floating foundation in a predefined middle position,
  • controller configured for controlling the length of the first mooring line and the second mooring line in such a way that:
  • first mooring line is extended with respect to the first mid dle length and the second mooring line is retracted with re spect to the second middle length.
  • a meth od of operating the above described floating wind turbine in stallation comprises the steps of:
  • this invention permits to optimize the wind turbine power production by optimizing the flow around the single floating wind turbine, making use of tidal forces.
  • the proposed invention permits to gain additional energy by mov ing the floating wind turbine forwards (i.e. towards the wind) below a rated value of the wind speed to gain the added benefit from the drift movement.
  • the floating wind turbine is moved backwards (i.e. in the direction of the wind) above rated wind speed, where a decrease in apparent wind speed does not affect the output of power of the turbine.
  • fixed structure it is meant a structure which is fixed with respect to the wind and water current, for example a structure which is fixed to the seabed.
  • predefined middle position it is meant a position of the floating wind turbine which is intermediate between a first extreme position, where the first mooring line is completely extended and the second mooring line is completely retracted, and a second extreme position, where the first mooring line is completely retracted and the second mooring line is completely extended.
  • the "predefined middle position” may be identified as a neutral position where the first and the second mooring lines just allows the floating wind turbine not to be drifted away from its ideal position, following the water current and/or the wind.
  • the con troller is further configured in such a way that:
  • the first mooring line and the second mooring line are set at the first and second middle lengths.
  • the float ing foundation comprises an adaptive drag element to help the drift motion, when the conditions are favourable.
  • the controller is further configured for:
  • the float ing wind turbine installation comprises at least one sensor for measuring the wind intensity and/or the wind direction, said at least one sensor being connected to the controller.
  • the wind intensity may be estimated by knowing the power produced by the wind turbine.
  • the float ing wind turbine installation comprises at least one sensor for measuring the water current direction.
  • the water current direction may be estimated, based on previous historical measurements.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a floating wind turbine according to the present invention, in a neutral operating condition .
  • FIG 1 shows a floating wind turbine 10 installation ac cording to the invention in a first operative condition.
  • the wind turbine 10 comprises a tower 2, extending axially along a longitudinal axis Z of the floating wind turbine 10.
  • a na celle 3 is attached to an upper end of the tower 2.
  • the wind turbine 1 further comprises a wind turbine rotor 5 having three blades 4 (in the perspective of Figure 1 only two blades 4 are visible).
  • the rotor 5 is attached to the nacelle 3 in order to be rotatable around a rotational axis Y.
  • the rotational axis Y is horizontally oriented.
  • the invention may also apply to vertical axis wind turbines.
  • the floating wind turbine 10 further comprises a floating foundation 8 attached to a bottom end of the tower 2, axially opposed to the na celle 3 along the longitudinal axis Z.
  • the floating foundation 8 is subject to be at least partially im mersed in water.
  • the floating foundation 8 comprises a drag element for controlling drag of the floating wind turbine 10. According to other embodiments of the present invention, the drag element 18 may not be present.
  • the floating wind turbine 10 installation further comprises a first mooring line 21 and a second mooring line 22 connecting the floating foundation 8 to a fixed structure, e.g. a fixed structure provided on the seabed.
  • the first mooring line 21 is upstream with respect to a water current direction Wl
  • the second mooring line 22 is downstream with respect to said wa ter current direction Wl.
  • the water current direction Wl may consist of the direction of a tidal current.
  • the length of the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22 are variable.
  • two respective winches 31, 32 may be provide for regulating the length of the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22.
  • the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22 being arrangeable at respec tive first and second middle lengths for holding the floating foundation 8 in a predefined middle position.
  • the middle po sition is a neutral position where the first and the second mooring lines just allows the floating wind turbine not to be drifted away from its ideal position, following the water current and/or the wind.
  • the floating wind turbine 10 installation further comprises a controller 20 (schematically represented in figure 1) config ured for controlling the length of the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22.
  • a controller 20 (schematically represented in figure 1) config ured for controlling the length of the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22.
  • more than two mooring line may be provided.
  • the controller 20 may be con nected to the two respective winches 31, 32.
  • the controller 20 controls the length of the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22, in such a way that, if a wind direc tion W2 on the rotor 5 is against the water current direction W1 and the wind speed Vw is below a rated value Vr, then the first mooring line 21 is extended with respect to the first middle length and the second mooring line 22 is retracted with respect to the second middle length.
  • the wind direction W2 which is oriented against the water current direction W1 i.e. an angle of 180° is comprised between the direction Wl, W2
  • the controller 20 imposes a drift movement W3 on the floating wind turbine 10 which determines the following value of the power production P:
  • V Vw + Vd is the sum of the wind speed Vw and the drift speed Vd, i.e. the speed of the floating wind turbine 10 in the direction of the drift movement W3.
  • the controller 20 is further configured for, if the wind speed Vw is not below the rated value Vr and the water cur rent W1 is below a predefined current threshold then the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22 are set at the first and second middle lengths. This means that if the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22 are already at the first and second middle lengths they are kept at that length, otherwise they are moved to the first and second middle lengths and kept at that length.
  • the controller 20 is further configured for, if a wind direction W2 is against the water current direction W1 and the wind speed Vw is below a rated value Vr, then the drag of the active drag element on the floating foundation 8 is maximised.
  • the wind turbine 10 installation further comprises one or more wind sensor 30 for measuring the wind speed intensity Vw and/or the wind direction W2.
  • the wind sensor 30 is connected to the controller 20.
  • the wind turbine 10 installation further comprises one or more current sensor 40 for measuring the water current direc tion W1.
  • the current sensor 40 is connected to the controller 20.
  • the current sensor 40 may be provided on the floating foundation 8 or on any other convenient position on the wind turbine 10. According to other embodiments of the invention, the current sensor 40 is not present and the water current direction W1 is estimated, based on previous historical meas urements and/or mathematical models.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Oceanography (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention describes a floating wind turbine (10) comprising: - a tower (2) extending axially along a longitudinal axis (Z) of the floating wind turbine (10), - a nacelle (3) and a rotor (5) attached to an upper end of the tower (2), - a floating foundation (8) attached to a bottom end of the tower (2). - at least a first mooring line (21) and a second mooring line (22) connecting the floating foundation (8) to a fixed structure, - a controller (20) configured for controlling the length of the first mooring line (21) and the second mooring line (22) in such a way that: - if a wind direction (W2) is against the water current direction (W1) and the wind speed (Vw) is below a rated value (Vr), then the first mooring line (21) is extended and the second mooring line (22) is retracted.

Description

DESCRIPTION
Using tidal currents for optimizing production in a floating wind turbine
Field of invention
The present invention relates to the field of production in a floating wind turbine.
Art Background
Tides create currents in the oceans near the shore and in bays and estuaries along the coast. These currents are called "tidal currents". Tidal currents change in a regular pattern and can be predicted for future dates. Tidal currents can move in an opposite direction to the wind, in which case the waves move with the wind while the tide moves in the opposite direction, but at larger depth.
It would be therefore desirable to provide the possibility to gain more electricity production from floating wind turbines by making use of tidal currents.
Summary of the Invention
This need is met by the subject matter according to the inde pendent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present in vention are described by the dependent claims.
According to a first aspect of the present invention a float ing wind turbine installation is provided. The floating wind turbine installation comprises:
- a tower extending axially along a longitudinal axis of the floating wind turbine,
- a nacelle and a rotor attached to an upper end of the tow er, - a floating foundation attached to a bottom end of the tow er,
- at least a first mooring line and a second mooring line connecting the floating foundation to a fixed structure, the first mooring line being upstream the floating wind turbine with respect to a water current direction, the second mooring line being downstream the floating wind turbine with respect to said water current direction, the length of the first mooring line and the second mooring line being variable, the first mooring line and the second mooring line being arrange- able at respective first and second middle lengths for hold ing the floating foundation in a predefined middle position,
- a controller configured for controlling the length of the first mooring line and the second mooring line in such a way that:
- if a wind direction is against the water current di rection and the wind speed is below a rated value, then the first mooring line is extended with respect to the first mid dle length and the second mooring line is retracted with re spect to the second middle length.
According to a second aspect of the present invention a meth od of operating the above described floating wind turbine in stallation is provided. The method comprises the steps of:
- if the wind direction is against the water current di rection and the wind speed is below a rated value, then ex tending the first mooring line with respect to the first mid dle length and retracting the second mooring line with re spect to the second middle length.
Advantageously, this invention permits to optimize the wind turbine power production by optimizing the flow around the single floating wind turbine, making use of tidal forces. The proposed invention permits to gain additional energy by mov ing the floating wind turbine forwards (i.e. towards the wind) below a rated value of the wind speed to gain the added benefit from the drift movement. The floating wind turbine is moved backwards (i.e. in the direction of the wind) above rated wind speed, where a decrease in apparent wind speed does not affect the output of power of the turbine.
With the expression "fixed structure" it is meant a structure which is fixed with respect to the wind and water current, for example a structure which is fixed to the seabed.
With the expression "predefined middle position" it is meant a position of the floating wind turbine which is intermediate between a first extreme position, where the first mooring line is completely extended and the second mooring line is completely retracted, and a second extreme position, where the first mooring line is completely retracted and the second mooring line is completely extended. The "predefined middle position" may be identified as a neutral position where the first and the second mooring lines just allows the floating wind turbine not to be drifted away from its ideal position, following the water current and/or the wind.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the con troller is further configured in such a way that:
- if the wind speed is not below a rated value and the water current is below a predefined current threshold then the first mooring line and the second mooring line are set at the first and second middle lengths.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the float ing foundation comprises an adaptive drag element to help the drift motion, when the conditions are favourable. In such case the controller is further configured for:
- if the wind direction is against the water current di rection and the wind speed is below a rated value, then the drag of the active drag element on the floating foundation is maximised .
According to embodiments of the present invention, the float ing wind turbine installation comprises at least one sensor for measuring the wind intensity and/or the wind direction, said at least one sensor being connected to the controller. Alternatively, the wind intensity may be estimated by knowing the power produced by the wind turbine.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the float ing wind turbine installation comprises at least one sensor for measuring the water current direction. Alternatively, the water current direction may be estimated, based on previous historical measurements.
It has to be noted that embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to different subject-matters.
In particular, some embodiments have been described with ref erence to apparatus type claims whereas other embodiments have been described with reference to method type claims. However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and the following description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition to any combination of features belong ing to one type of subject-matter also any combination be tween features relating to different subject-matters, in par ticular between features of the apparatus type claims and features of the method type claims is considered as to be disclosed with this application.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The aspects defined above and further aspects of the present invention are apparent from the examples of embodiment to be described hereinafter and are explained with reference to the examples of embodiment. The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to examples of embodi ment but to which the invention is not limited.
Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a floating wind turbine according to the present invention, in a neutral operating condition . Detailed Description
The illustrations in the drawings are schematically. It is noted that in different figures, similar or identical ele ments are provided with the same reference signs.
Figure 1 shows a floating wind turbine 10 installation ac cording to the invention in a first operative condition. The wind turbine 10 comprises a tower 2, extending axially along a longitudinal axis Z of the floating wind turbine 10. A na celle 3 is attached to an upper end of the tower 2. The wind turbine 1 further comprises a wind turbine rotor 5 having three blades 4 (in the perspective of Figure 1 only two blades 4 are visible). The rotor 5 is attached to the nacelle 3 in order to be rotatable around a rotational axis Y. The rotational axis Y is horizontally oriented. The invention may also apply to vertical axis wind turbines. The floating wind turbine 10 further comprises a floating foundation 8 attached to a bottom end of the tower 2, axially opposed to the na celle 3 along the longitudinal axis Z. In operation, the floating foundation 8 is subject to be at least partially im mersed in water. The floating foundation 8 comprises a drag element for controlling drag of the floating wind turbine 10. According to other embodiments of the present invention, the drag element 18 may not be present.
The floating wind turbine 10 installation further comprises a first mooring line 21 and a second mooring line 22 connecting the floating foundation 8 to a fixed structure, e.g. a fixed structure provided on the seabed. The first mooring line 21 is upstream with respect to a water current direction Wl, the second mooring line 22 is downstream with respect to said wa ter current direction Wl. The water current direction Wl may consist of the direction of a tidal current. The length of the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22 are variable. On the seabed two respective winches 31, 32 may be provide for regulating the length of the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22. The first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22 being arrangeable at respec tive first and second middle lengths for holding the floating foundation 8 in a predefined middle position. The middle po sition is a neutral position where the first and the second mooring lines just allows the floating wind turbine not to be drifted away from its ideal position, following the water current and/or the wind.
The floating wind turbine 10 installation further comprises a controller 20 (schematically represented in figure 1) config ured for controlling the length of the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22. According to other embodi ments of the invention, more than two mooring line may be provided. To operate the length of the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22 the controller 20 may be con nected to the two respective winches 31, 32. The controller 20 controls the length of the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22, in such a way that, if a wind direc tion W2 on the rotor 5 is against the water current direction W1 and the wind speed Vw is below a rated value Vr, then the first mooring line 21 is extended with respect to the first middle length and the second mooring line 22 is retracted with respect to the second middle length. The wind direction W2 which is oriented against the water current direction W1 (i.e. an angle of 180° is comprised between the direction Wl, W2) may be a component of the vector representing the wind direction at the wind turbine 10. By controlling the length of the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22, the controller 20 imposes a drift movement W3 on the floating wind turbine 10 which determines the following value of the power production P:
P = 0,5 p-A Cp-V3,
Where p is the air density, A is the area swept by the rotor 5, Cp is a coefficient of performance and V = Vw + Vd is the sum of the wind speed Vw and the drift speed Vd, i.e. the speed of the floating wind turbine 10 in the direction of the drift movement W3.
The controller 20 is further configured for, if the wind speed Vw is not below the rated value Vr and the water cur rent W1 is below a predefined current threshold then the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22 are set at the first and second middle lengths. This means that if the first mooring line 21 and the second mooring line 22 are already at the first and second middle lengths they are kept at that length, otherwise they are moved to the first and second middle lengths and kept at that length.
If the floating foundation 8 comprises the active drag ele ment 18, the controller 20 is further configured for, if a wind direction W2 is against the water current direction W1 and the wind speed Vw is below a rated value Vr, then the drag of the active drag element on the floating foundation 8 is maximised.
The wind turbine 10 installation further comprises one or more wind sensor 30 for measuring the wind speed intensity Vw and/or the wind direction W2. The wind sensor 30 is connected to the controller 20. The wind sensor 30 may be provided on the nacelle 3 or on any other convenient position on the wind turbine 10. According to other embodiments of the invention, the wind intensity may be estimated by knowing the power pro duced by the wind turbine (for example by inventing the ex pression P = 0,5 pA Cp V3).
The wind turbine 10 installation further comprises one or more current sensor 40 for measuring the water current direc tion W1. The current sensor 40 is connected to the controller 20. The current sensor 40 may be provided on the floating foundation 8 or on any other convenient position on the wind turbine 10. According to other embodiments of the invention, the current sensor 40 is not present and the water current direction W1 is estimated, based on previous historical meas urements and/or mathematical models.

Claims

1. Floating wind turbine (10) installation comprising:
- a tower (2) extending axially along a longitudinal axis (Z) of the floating wind turbine (10),
- a nacelle (3) and a rotor (5) attached to an upper end of the tower (2),
- a floating foundation (8) attached to a bottom end of the tower (2),
- at least a first mooring line (21) and a second mooring line (22) connecting the floating foundation (8) to a fixed structure, the first mooring line (21) being upstream the floating wind turbine (10) with respect to a water current direction (Wl), the second mooring line (22) being downstream the floating wind turbine (10) with respect to said water current direction (Wl), the length of the first mooring line
(21) and the second mooring line (22) being variable, the first mooring line (21) and the second mooring line (22) be ing arrangeable at respective first and second middle lengths for holding the floating foundation (8) in a predefined mid dle position,
- a controller (20) configured for controlling the length of the first mooring line (21) and the second mooring line (22) in such a way that:
- if a wind direction (W2) against the water current di rection (Wl) and the wind speed (Vw) is below a rated value (Vr), then the first mooring line (21) is extended with re spect to the first middle length and the second mooring line
(22) is retracted with respect to the second middle length.
2. Floating wind turbine (10) installation according to claim 1, wherein the controller (20) configured for:
- if the wind speed (Vw) is not below a rated value (Vr) and the water current (Wl) is below a predefined current threshold then the first mooring line (21) and the second mooring line (22) are set at the first and second middle lengths. 3. Floating wind turbine (10) installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the floating foundation (8) comprises an active drag element (18), the controller (20) being fur ther configured for:
- if the wind direction (W2) is against the water cur rent direction (Wl) and the wind speed (Vw) is below a rated value (Vr), then the drag of the active drag element on the floating foundation (8) is maximised.
4. Floating wind turbine (10) installation according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, further comprising at least one sensor (30) for measuring the wind intensity and/or the wind direc tion, said at least one sensor being connected to the con troller.
5. Floating wind turbine (10) installation according to any of the previous claims, further comprising at least one sen sor (40) for measuring the water current direction.
6. Method of operating a floating wind turbine (10) instal lation comprising:
- a tower (2) extending axially along a longitudinal axis (Z) of the floating wind turbine (10),
- a nacelle (3) and a rotor (5) attached to an upper end of the tower (2),
- a floating foundation (8) attached to a bottom end of the tower (2),
- at least a first mooring line (21) and a second mooring line (22) connecting the floating foundation (8) to a fixed structure, the first mooring line (21) being upstream the floating wind turbine (10) with respect to a water current direction (Wl), the second mooring line (22) being downstream the floating wind turbine (10) with respect to said water current direction (Wl), the length of the first mooring line (21) and the second mooring line (22) being variable, the first mooring line (21) and the second mooring line (22) be ing arrangeable at respective first and second middle lengths for holding the floating foundation (8) in a predefined mid dle position, the method comprising the step of:
- if a wind direction (W2) is against the water current direction (Wl) and the wind speed (Vw) is below a rated value (Vr), then extending the first mooring line (21) with respect to the first middle length and retracting the second mooring line (22) with respect to the second middle length,
7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the method comprises the further step of:
- if the wind speed (Vw) is not below a rated value (Vr) and the water current is below a predefined current threshold then setting the first mooring line (21) and the second moor ing line (22) at the first and second middle lengths.
8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the water cur rent direction is measured.
9. Method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the water cur rent direction is estimated.
10. Method according to any of the claims 6 to 9, wherein the wind intensity and/or the wind direction is measured.
11. Method according to any of the claims 6 to 9, wherein the wind intensity is estimated.
PCT/EP2021/055268 2020-03-23 2021-03-03 Using tidal currents for optimizing production in a floating wind turbine Ceased WO2021190885A1 (en)

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WO2013065323A1 (en) * 2011-11-04 2013-05-10 独立行政法人海上技術安全研究所 Control device for floating-body-type marine wind power generation apparatus
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