Irregular Nonlinear Wave Simulation and Associated Loads on Offshore Wind Turbines

Abstract

The accuracy of predicted loads on offshore wind turbines depends on the mathematical models employed to describe the combined action of the wind and waves. Using a global simulation framework that employs a domaindecomposition strategy for computational efficiency, this study investigates the effects of nonlinear waves on computed loads on the support structure (monopile) and the rotor–nacelle assembly of a bottomsupported offshore wind turbine. The fully nonlinear (FNL) numerical wave solver is invoked only on subdomains where nonlinearities are detected; thus, only locally in space and time, a linear solution (and associated Morison hydrodynamics) is replaced by the FNL one. An efficient carefully tuned linear–nonlinear transition scheme makes it possible to run long simulations such that effects from weakly nonlinear up to FNL events, such as imminent breaking waves, can be accounted for. The unsteady nonlinear freesurface problem governing the propagation of gravity waves is formulated using potential theory and a higherorder boundary element method (HOBEM) is used to discretize Laplace’s equation. The FNL solver is employed and associated hydrodynamic loads are simulated in conjunction with aerodynamic loads on the rotor of a 5MW wind turbine using the NREL opensource software, fast. We assess load statistics associated with a single severe sea state. Such load statistics are needed in evaluating relevant load cases specified in offshore wind turbine design guidelines; in this context, the influence of nonlinear wave modeling and its selection over alternative linear or linearized wave modeling is compared. Ultimately, a study such as this one will seek to evaluate longterm loads using the FNL solver in computations directed toward reliabilitybased design of offshore wind turbines where a range of sea states will need to be evaluated.