University of Twente Student Theses
Feasibility research: Design of a mini-Tension Leg Platform foundation for a 6MW Wind Turbine
Mertens, R. (2015) Feasibility research: Design of a mini-Tension Leg Platform foundation for a 6MW Wind Turbine.
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| Abstract: | Mecal B.V. is an independent engineering company that is specialized in analyzing, consulting, designing and developing of wind turbines. Mecal has patented a system for the transport and installation of Tension Leg Platforms which can be used as floating foundations for wind turbines. This report presents the assessment for the global design of a Tension Leg Platform (TLP) which fits the transport and installation system. The TLP was designed for a 6 MW offshore wind turbine. of the purpose of the project is to validate the feasibility of TLP foundations for offshore wind turbines. The assessment is based on modal analysis, stability analyses, fatigue and ultimate strength analyses, cost estimation and a comparison with a TLP design of another company. Beside all analyses, a market study of TLP foundations was conducted. The design of the mini-TLP structure was created in Solidworks and improved iteratively. The structure is subjected to a permanent buoyancy load which was calculated in Mathcad. The stability, fatigue and extreme loads are according to load data retrieved from the 6 MW wind turbine. Wave loading was taken into account by the use of a safety factor. All analyses were performed with the use of Ansys. The structure showed small spots with unsufficient strength, but can be increased locally with simple solutions. These problems will be addressed when a detailed design is made. Besides the local insufficient strength and some recommendations regarding further research, the TLP foundation shows good stability, sufficient strength globally, is cost efficient and competitive with other foundations. Therefore, it can be concluded that the design of the mini-TLP foundation is a feasible solution for offshore wind turbines. |
| Item Type: | Internship Report (Master) |
| Clients: | Mecal, the Netherlands |
| Faculty: | ET: Engineering Technology |
| Subject: | 52 mechanical engineering |
| Programme: | Mechanical Engineering MSc (60439) |
| Keywords: | Mecal B.V., Wind turbine, Floating foundation, Design, FEM, Market study |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/69929 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
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