Improved tank test procedures for scaled floating offshore wind turbines

Abstract

This study collects issues from previous tank test campaigns of scaled Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWT), compares the different scaling methodologies, points out critical aspects and shows possible alternatives and recommendations for future tests depending on the specific objective. Furthermore, it gives practical recommendations for the modeling and construction of scaled rotors. The presented scaling procedure will be applied in tank tests within the EU Seventh Framework Program InnWind (ENERGY.2012.2.3.1 "Innovative wind conversion systems (10-20MW) for offshore applications").