Model Testing of the Towing Process of a 14 MW TLP Floating Wind Turbine Considering Wave Influence

Abstract Offshore wind turbines have only been operated for about 30 years but they represent one of the most promising branches of renewable energy. The ever-increasing size of the turbines is beginning to pose both technological and logistical challenges, while the ambitious goals towards decarbonisation appear to be increasingly difficult to achieve. One way to take advantage of undeveloped offshore areas with high wind potential is the use of floating support structures. This kind of operation has not yet been carried out with tension leg platforms, so its feasibility requires detailed analysis. The main aim of this research is to evaluate the movements of a physical model of a 14 MW TLP floating wind turbine during towing to its installation site. For this purpose, a detailed design of a novel five-leg TLP support structure was established, its stability in a temporary floating state was assessed, and the results of model testing on towing the structure in regular waves were examined. The experimental findings were further compared with numerical simulations, providing additional insight into the hydrodynamic behaviour of the platform during towing.