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Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) offer a promising solution for sustainable energy generation but present unique challenges, including structural motion that complicates maintenance and inspection. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly considered for turbine inspections, yet their safe operation requires a precise understanding of platform dynamics. This study investigates the motion characteristics of a 1/65 scale model based on the VolturnUS-S semi-submersible platform – a benchmark design planned for the Nordés wind farm off the coast of North Galicia. Towing tank experiments were conducted under metocean conditions representative of feasible UAV inspection windows. The motion responses of the turbine nacelle and platform were analyzed under both parked and operational turbine conditions, focusing on heave and pitch motions. Results indicate that rotor thrust marginally reduces motion amplitudes while introducing a consistent tilt angle. Additionally, nacelle position and velocity data were used to define potentially unsafe flight areas for UAVs and provide essential insights for collision avoidance and automated landing algorithms. These findings contribute to the development of safer and more effective UAV-based inspection strategies for FOWTs, enhancing maintenance efficiency and reducing operational risks in offshore wind farms.

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Experimental Testing of an Offshore Wind Platform Under the Combined Effect of the Wind Turbine and Irregular Waves

  • 会议论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Marta Cabaleiro Figueroa,
  • Lucía Santiago Caamaño,
  • Milica Vidić,
  • Marcos Míguez González,
  • Anne Gosset,
  • José Manuel Ciriano Palacios

摘要

Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) offer a promising solution for sustainable energy generation but present unique challenges, including structural motion that complicates maintenance and inspection. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly considered for turbine inspections, yet their safe operation requires a precise understanding of platform dynamics. This study investigates the motion characteristics of a 1/65 scale model based on the VolturnUS-S semi-submersible platform – a benchmark design planned for the Nordés wind farm off the coast of North Galicia. Towing tank experiments were conducted under metocean conditions representative of feasible UAV inspection windows. The motion responses of the turbine nacelle and platform were analyzed under both parked and operational turbine conditions, focusing on heave and pitch motions. Results indicate that rotor thrust marginally reduces motion amplitudes while introducing a consistent tilt angle. Additionally, nacelle position and velocity data were used to define potentially unsafe flight areas for UAVs and provide essential insights for collision avoidance and automated landing algorithms. These findings contribute to the development of safer and more effective UAV-based inspection strategies for FOWTs, enhancing maintenance efficiency and reducing operational risks in offshore wind farms.