The trend of offshore wind power is bigger and bigger wind turbines. Turbines are now becoming so big that existing installation vessels no longer are feasible and new bigger installation vessels are needed. Ship owners hesitate to order new vessels worried that the rapid turbine growth will continue and make also the new vessels obsolete in a few years. This can create a bottleneck in the offshore wind market.   This thesis assignment attempts to develop a telescopic tower as an alternative way of installing offshore wind turbines. A telescopic tower can decrease overall height and COG during marine installation, giving opportunity to install the largest wind turbines also with existing vessel fleet.   The method for developing the telescopic tower is to first find the main problems and functions of the concept. A design basis based on a 12 MW reference wind turbine is developed. Based on this reference turbine different solutions to the main problems and functions are developed by creative thinking, literature research, modelling, calculations and analysis. A cost/benefit analysis is performed to investigate if there is any economic potential in the developed solution. To complete the study other installation methods and telescopic tower concepts are investigated for benchmark comparison.   The telescopic tower will have two sections. Shoulders are welded to the inner wall of the lower tower. The upper tower fit inside the lower tower and a telescopic mechanism is installed below to lift the assembly as the mechanism climb the shoulders of the lower tower. The telescopic mechanism works much like a pin and hole mechanism used for jack-up rigs. The pins engage/disengage with the shoulders by the movement of linear actuators. The vertical climbing motion is provided by hydraulic cylinders. The power source is an HPU placed on the wind turbine external platform.   To connect the upper and lower tower permanently a friction connection with long slotted holes is used. This connection is developed for assembly of onshore towers in an EU-sponsored project called Histwin. The walls of the lower and the upper tower overlap at the connection and are pressed together by pretensioned bolts to create a friction surface that hold the loads from the upper tower.   The conclusion is that the telescopic tower is technically feasible and can be installed by the existing installation vessel fleet. The economic feasibility is dependent on the specific project characteristics, but there are scenarios where the telescopic tower can have great economical upside.

Durch Umwandlung unterschiedlichster Formen von Energie in mechanische oder elektrische Energie wird die Menschheit seit Jahrhunderten bei der Umsetzung von Arbeitsprozessen im Alltag und bei der industriellen Nutzung unterstützt. Strömende Medien wie Wasser oder Wind gelten dabei als die ältesten Energielieferanten. Im Rahmen der Dissertation wird das Konzept einer zugspannungsverankerten Plattform für Offshore Windenergieanlagen (WEA) vorgestellt, wobei neben den, für diesen Plattformtyp typischen, vertikalen auch geneigte Verankerungselemente Verwendung finden. Diese Art der Verspannung einer zugspannungsverankerten Plattform, respektive ’Tension Leg Platfrom’ (TLP) ist bisher von keiner Quelle bekannt und stellt ein Alleinstellungsmerkmal dar. Folglich sollen Untersuchungen zum dynamischen Verhalten schwimmender Gründungen für Offshore WEA, im Speziellen zu einer TLP mit vertikalen und geneigten Ankerelementen, im Rahmen dieser Arbeit erstmalig vorgestellt werden. Die Plattform ist ein modular gestaltetes Tragwerk bestehend aus großen Rohren und mit integrierten zylindrischen Auftriebskörpern. Diese erzeugen im Transportzustand der Plattform vom Hafen zum Einsatzort und im Betriebszustand innerhalb eines Windparks den nötigen Auftrieb. Infolge der speziellen Art der Verspannung werden die Bewegungen der TLP durch die, aus den Belastungen resultierenden, Seildehnungen dominiert. Damit stellte die TLP im Vergleich zu anderen schwimmenden Gründungen ein bewegungsarmes System dar. Inhalt der hier vorgelegten Arbeit sind Untersuchungen zum dynamischen Verhalten schwimmender Offshoregründungen, im speziellen einer TLP für Windenergieanlagen. Es wurden unterschiedliche Tragstrukturen für TLP-Systeme entwickelt und im Rahmen von Modellversuchen getestet. Den Kern der Arbeit bildet der Vergleich des dynamischen Tragverhaltens der unterschiedlichen Plattformen unter Berücksichtigung der geometrischen und strukturellen Randbedingungen.

Für Offshore-Windenergieanlagen (OWEA) wird die Überwachung mittels Monitoringsystemen immer wichtiger für den effizienten Betrieb. Problematisch ist, dass nicht nur die OWEA selbst, sondern auch die Monitoringsysteme altern. Für verlässliche Monitoringsysteme müssen daher auch deren Alterungsprozesse analysiert werden, damit das System lebensdauerumfassend an der OWEA verwendbar ist. Hierfür wurden Laser-Triangulationssensoren untersucht, die unterschiedlichen Temperaturen und Luftfeuchten ausgesetzt wurden. Das Messsignal wurde temperaturkompensiert und hinsichtlich seiner Messunsicherheit bewertet. Ferner ergaben erste Alterungsversuche, dass noch keine signifikanten Alterungserscheinungen aufgetreten sind.

As has been the case for onshore wind systems, the environmental effects of offshore wind farms are expected to play an important part of the development of future large-scale wind energy systems. This paper presents a detailed review of the status of, and recent developments in, research on the environmental impacts of fixed and floating offshore wind turbine systems. The primary information that has been reviewed has come from European sources where there are a significant number of offshore installations, but some work on this subject has been carried out recently in the United States. Information, from an extensive review, is presented on the environmental impacts of fixed and floating offshore wind turbines on benthic organisms, fish, marine mammals, avian species and bats. The environmental impacts of fixed and floating systems are anticipated to vary due to multiple parameters that need to be taken into account when identifying environmental impacts. Additionally, there are variations in the impact throughout the lifecycle of the offshore wind turbines. The primary focus for this paper is on the environmental impacts through the scope of barrier and habitat impacts in addition to the anticipated avian and bat fatalities. A noise propagation model is used to determine the extent of effects due to the installation of fixed and floating support structures using piling installation methods. Finally, a summary of progress in all the major environmental impact areas is given along with recommendations for future research.

Power generation of the future will be dominated by renewable energy sources. This is a positive trend as society aims to improve sustainability, energy security, and reduce CO2 emissions. This progress however bears challenges for the power systems of the future. One area of particular concern is the blackstart recovery capability of the power systems following blackout events that disrupt electricity supply, as traditional blackstart suppliers have originated from unsustainable power sources. As new sustainable technologies are explored to fill the void, offshore wind power has been identified as a potential suitor to address future blackstart deficiencies. However, following a blackout event that leaves an offshore wind farm isolated, the current technology does not allow for start-up of the wind farm in an islanded mode without assistance from the onshore grid. Hence, a STATCOM with active power storage, known as an ES-STATCOM, is the proposed solution to energize the offshore wind farm to operate in an islanded mode, in preparation for assisting the onshore grid with blackstart. An EMT model and simulation of an ES-STATCOM with grid forming control capabilities and the surrounding offshore wind farm export system were developed in this thesis to assess the viability of the STATCOM solution in energization. The results are promising and show that the ES-STATCOM is in fact able to energize the offshore system to a stable voltage, while avoiding high order harmonics and large overvoltages that have the potential to cause damage to expensive subsea power system components. Ultimately, this thesis serves as a proof-of-concept for blackstart technology, providing useful insights towards the maturity of offshore wind-based blackstart providers of the future. / Framtidens elproduktion kommer att domineras av förnybara energikällor. Detta är en positiv trend eftersom samhället strävar efter att förbättra hållbarheten, tryggheten gällande energiförsörjning samt minska koldioxidutsläppen.. Denna utveckling innebär dock utmaningar för framtidens kraftsystem. Ett område som är särskilt oroande är kraftsystemens förmåga att återhämta sig efter blackout som stör elförsörjningen, eftersom de traditionella leverantörerna av ett strömavbrott har sitt ursprung i ohållbara kraftkällor. I takt med att man utforskar ny hållbar teknik för att fylla tomrummet har havsbaserad vindkraft identifierats som en potentiell kandidat för att åtgärda framtida brister vid svartstart. Efter ett strömavbrott som gör att en havsbaserad vindkraftpark blir isolerad från kraftnätet kan vindkraftparken inte startas upp i ett ö-läge utan hjälp från landnätet med nuvarande teknik. Därför föreslås en STATCOM med aktiv energilagring, en så kallad ES-STATCOM, som lösning för att ge energi till havsbaserade vindkraftparker så att de kan fungera i ö-läge, som en förberedelse för att hjälpa landnätet med svartstart. En EMT-modell och simulering av en ES-STATCOM med nätbildande kontrollfunktioner och det omgivande exportsystemet för havsbaserade vindkraftparker utvecklades i denna avhandling för att bedöma lönsamheten hos STATCOM-lösningen för energitillförsel. Resultaten är lovande och visar att ES-STATCOM kan försörja det havsbaserade systemet med den en energi som krävs för en stabil spänning, samtidigt som man undviker harmoniska övertoner av hög ordning och stora överspänningar som har potential att skada dyra komponenter i det havsbaserade kraftsystemet. I slutändan tjänar denna avhandling som ett proof-of-concept för blackstart-teknik och ger användbara insikter om hur mogna framtida leverantörer av svartstart-teknik för havsbaserad vindkraft är.

Previous research has displayed that multi-source farms provide an opportunity to reduce the cost of energy and improve the energy output quality. This thesis assesses the cost competitiveness of co-located wind-wave farms, specifically floating offshore wind (FLOW) turbines and CorPower’s wave energy converters (WEC). This research was conducted in collaboration with CorPower, a Swedish WEC developer. A cost model is generated, which calculates the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) utilizing a life-cycle cost analysis. The model is developed by combining CorPower’s existing cost model with an agglomeration of FLOW cost models from previous studies. An in depth literature research informs about synergies, which are translated into shared costs within the model. The cost model is applied to a site on the Northern coast of Portugal; the location of a FLOW farm project under development. Including wave energy, improves the annual energy production of the farm by up to 10%. However, the effects on power smoothing are negligible, due to the high seasonal variability of the wave resource and the minimal complementarity of the two energy sources. The LCOE of a 1GW 50% wind - 50% wave farm is 63€/MWh. The high initial investment costs of the wind farm results in the standalone wind LCOE of 73€/MWh. The strong capacity factor of the WECs cause the LCOE to reduce to 55€/MWh, when evaluating a standalone wave farm. In all co-location configurations, savings for FLOW and wave farm developers are exhibited. The highest savings are identified for small wind/wave arrays co-located in large farms. This results in an LCOE reduction of up to 4.5% for both wind and wave farm developers. The largest relative savings are found in the DEVEX costs and the electrical transmission installation costs. The identified cost calculations and savings are inline with previous studies. The savings are in the lower range compared to other studies, due to the conservative estimations of the degree of shared costs. The cost model provides a tool, that can be continuously updated with the most recent findings of cost inputs and wind-wave synergies, i.e. shared cost opportunities. This thesis’ results reflect how co-locating wind and wave farms can improve the cost-competitiveness of both technologies. Nevertheless, more in depth research is required to comprehend the full potential of co-located wind-wave farms. There is a necessity of collaboration between wind and wave industry members to ensure that the synergies and shared cost-opportunities identified, are fully exploited. / Tidigare forskning har visat att parker med flera källor ger möjlighet att minska energikostnaderna och förbättra energiproduktionens kvalitet. I den här avhandlingen utvärderas kostnadskonkurrenskraften hos samlokaliserade vind- och vågkraftsparker, särskilt flytande havsbaserade vindkraftverk (FLOW) och CorPowers vågenergiomvandlare (WEC). Denna forskning genomfördes i samarbete med CorPower, en svensk WEC-utvecklare. En kostnadsmodell genereras, som beräknar den nivellerade energikostnaden (LCOE) med hjälp av en livscykelkostnadsanalys. Modellen är utvecklad genom att kombinera CorPowers befintliga kostnadsmodell med en agglomeration av FLOW-kostnadsmodeller från tidigare studier. En djupgående litteraturstudie ger information om synergier, som översätts till delade kostnader i modellen. Kostnadsmodellen tillämpas på en plats på Portugals norra kust, där ett FLOW-anläggningsprojekt är under utveckling. Genom att inkludera vågenergi förbättras parkens årliga energiproduktion med upp till 10%. Effekterna på effektutjämningen är dock försumbara, på grund av vågresursens stora säsongsvariationer och de två energikällornas minimala komplementaritet. LCOE för en 1GW 50% vind - 50% vågkraftspark är 63€/MWh. De höga initiala investeringskostnaderna för vindkraftsparken resulterar i en LCOE för fristående vindkraft på 73 €/MWh. Den starka kapacitetsfaktorn för WECs gör att LCOE minskar till 55€/MWh, vid utvärdering av en fristående vågkraftspark. I alla samlokaliseringskonfigurationer uppvisas besparingar för FLOW och vågparksutvecklare. De största besparingarna identifieras för små vind-/vågkraftsparker som samlokaliseras i stora parker. Detta resulterar i en minskning av LCOE med upp till 4,5% för både vind- och vågparksutvecklare. De största relativa besparingarna finns i DEVEX-kostnaderna och installationskostnaderna för elektrisk överföring. De identifierade kostnadsberäkningarna och besparingarna är i linje med tidigare studier. Besparingarna ligger i det lägre intervallet jämfört med andra studier, på grund av de konservativa uppskattningarna av graden av delade kostnader. Kostnadsmodellen är ett verktyg som kontinuerligt kan uppdateras med de senaste rönen om kostnadsingångar och synergier mellan vind och våg, dvs. möjligheter till delade kostnader. Resultaten i denna avhandling visar hur samlokalisering av vind- och vågkraftsparker kan förbättra kostnadskonkurrenskraften för båda teknikerna. Det krävs dock mer djupgående forskning för att förstå den fulla potentialen hossamlokaliserade vind- och vågparker. Det finns ett behov av samarbete mellanvind- och vågkraftsindustrin för att säkerställa att de identifierade synergierna ochgemensamma kostnadsmöjligheterna utnyttjas fullt ut.

Recognizing the imperative transition towards renewable energy sources to combat climate change, this study explores the outlooks for offshore wind power in Norway, a country endowed with extensive coastlines and favourable wind conditions. The thesis sets out to support decision-making processes by synthesizing contemporary research and applying context-specific insights to the southern half of the Norwegian economic zone (NEZ) into a comprehensive Spatial-Multi-criteria Analysis (SMCA). Through meticulous research, sub-criteria relevant to the geographical information systems-based SMCA are identified across four major categories: Wind, Techno-economic, Environ-mental, and Social considerations. Through the adoption of the Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) framework, the analysis generates suitability maps for all identified sites within the NEZ, facilitating a ranking procedure for both floating and bottom-fixed sites. By, among else, incorporating potential grid connection points and distance to suitable ports, this thesis offers a novel contribution to the limited body of literature on offshore wind power SMCA in the NEZ. Additionally, through state of the art data sets on mammal presence and cumulative impact on seabirds, the study not only advances the academic discourse on offshore wind power planning but also offers practical tools for policymakers and industry practitioners. The findings underscore the complexity of offshore wind farm siting, highlighting the impor-tance of a balanced consideration of various criteria to ensure sustainable and economically viable energy production. Significantly, amongst sites suitable for floating foundations, Ves-tavind A emerges as the prime location for wind farm development. The bottom rankings, however, are claimed by different sites depending on which weighting schema is applied. For future studies on the topic, important building blocks include incorporating data on seabed conditions such as geology and sloping into the SMCA alongside including more sub-criteria linked to met-ocean conditions (e.g., cut-out periods of the wind turbines caused by extreme weather). / Mot bakgrund av den globala omställningen till en alltmer grön energimix utforskar denna studie utsikterna för havsbaserad vindkraft i Norge, ett land med vidsträckta kustlinjer och gynnsamma vindförhållanden. Uppsatsen syftar till att stödja beslutsprocesser genom att sammanställa samtida forskning och tillämpa insikter anpassade till den södra halvan av Norges ekonomiska zon (NEZ) i en omfattande rumslig analys. Slutprodukten blir en relativ rangordning av en uppsättning områden som alla, enligt norska myndigheter, lämpar sig för installation av havsbaserad vindkraft. Genom noggrann efterforskning identifieras olika faktorer (subkriterier) som anses rel-evanta för den rumsliga analysen, dessa delas up i fyra övergripande kategorier: Vind, Tekno-ekonomiska faktorer, Miljöaspekter och Sociala aspekter. Med hjälp av en särskild viktningsmodell, där faktorerna ställs mot varandra och prioriteras utifrån deras relativa betydelse, genereras lämplighetskartor för alla platser inom studieområdet. Denna process ligger sedermera till grund för den ovannämnda rangordningen och görs både för platser som är tänkta för flytande och bottenfast havsbaserad vindkraft. Genom att bland an-nat inkludera potentiella anslutningspunkter till elnätet och avstånd till hamnar, som speficifkt lämpars sig för vindturbininstallationer, bidrar detta forskningsarbete med nytt innehåll till den vetenskapliga litteraturen. Därtill kan studien, utöver att bidra till den akademiska diskursen, komma att fungera som ett praktiskt verktyg för beslutsfattare och yrkesverksamma inom industrin. Resultaten påminner läsaren om komplexiteten i placeringen av havsbaserade vindkraftverk, vilket bekräftar vikten av en balanserad beaktning av olika kriterier. Detta för att kunna säkerställa att nya energiprojekt presterar bra utifrån ett miljömässigt och socialt perspektiv samtidigt som den ekonomiska lönsamheten säkras. Sett till de områden som studien utreder framstår Vestavind A som det bäst lämpade området för utveckling av havsbaserad vindkraft. De lägsta placeringarna upptas emellertid av olika platser beroende på hur de olika kriterierna viktas. Några förslag på hur denna studie kan utvecklas för att fortsatt kunna bidra till nya insikter inom forskningsområdet är att inkludera data om bottenförhållanden (exempelvis geologi och lutning) i den rumsliga analysen, samt att addera subkriterier med en naturlig koppling till meteorologiska aspekter såsom avbrottsperioder för vindturbiner till följd av extremväder.

The selection of the bulk power transmission technology in offshore wind farms is strongly related to the wind farm size and its distance to shore. Several alternatives can be evaluated depending on the rated power of the offshore wind farm, the transmission losses and the investment cost for constructing the transmission system. However, when is necessary to connect larger and more distant offshore wind farms; the best technological solution tends to the transmission system based on highvoltage and direct-current with line commutated converters (LCC-HVdc). This dissertation proposes the use of diode-based rectifers as a technical alternative to replace the thyristor-based rectifers in an LCC-HVdc link with unidirectional power flow. This alternative shows advantages with regard to lower conduction losses, lower installation costs and higher reliability. Nonetheless, as a counterpart the offshore ac-grid control performed by the thyristor-based HVdc rectifer is no longer available. This lack of control is compensated by using new control strategies over an offshore wind farm composed by wind turbines with permanent-magnet generators and fully-rated converters. The control strategies have been based mainly on the ability of the wind turbine grid-side converter to perform the control of the offshore ac-grid voltage and frequency. The performance has been evaluated by using PSCAD. Wherein, the most common grid disturbances have been used to demonstrate the fault-ride-through capability as well as the adequate steady state and transient response. / Rodríguez D'derlée, JJ. (2013). Control strategies for offshore wind farms based on PMSG wind turbines and HVdc connection with uncontrolled rectifier [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/34510

This study aims to explore the ability of a multi-criteria decision making with analytical hierarchy process (MCDM-AHP) model to emulate the results of a cost benefit analysis (CBA) model in the context of offshore wind farm siting within the Swedish exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The research question addressed is whether the MCDM-AHP analysis produces similar results to the CBA analysis. In addition to this, the strengths and weaknesses of each model is explored. The MCDM-AHP model employs the spatial criteria in a more basic manner compared to the CBA model, simplifying the evaluation process while still explaining 89.5% of the variation in the CBA model and defining similar areas as suitable. Thus, it can be concluded that the MCDM-AHP model adequately emulates the CBA model within the context of offshore wind farm siting within the Swedish EEZ. However, it is crucial to note that the two models produce outputs on different scales. While the CBA model provides levelized cost of energy (LCOE) values that can be thresholded for investment viability comparisons, the suitability score generated by the MCDM-AHP model remains a relative and arbitrary score within the model. Both models entail uncertainties, limiting their usage beyond making general assumptions or identifying areas of interest. The findings reveal that the CBA model demonstrates greater robustness when confronted with changes in spatial input parameters compared to the MCDM-AHP model. This discrepancy is attributed to the iterative computation process and consideration of flat cost inputs in the CBA model, whereas the MCDM-AHP model represents a linear combination of various spatial parameters. However, the calculated LCOE values in the CBA model are highly sensitive to changes in modeling assumptions regarding external parameters, resulting in significant linear variations. The LCOE values obtained from the CBA model baseline case fall within a range of 52.1 - 98.9 EUR/MWh, which aligns with similar studies, validating the CBA model. Nonetheless, caution should be exercised when considering these results as an accurate representation of the real world due to inherent uncertainties in cost inputs and the LCOE measure. The strengths of the MCDM-AHP model lie in its robustness when the order of relative importance remains stable for key spatial evaluators. It is sensitive to significant changes in water depth and wind speed, which heavily influence its output. The model's simplicity allows for a quick overview of the problem, but it requires assumptions that introduce uncertainties. Validation of the MCDM-AHP model using existing and planned offshore wind farms within the Swedish EEZ was possible but limited by the arbitrary scale and limited validation areas. The comparison between the two models could be enhanced with more comprehensive spatial and economic data for an in-depth CBA model, which could serve as a ground truth for the MCDM-AHP model. Nevertheless, the comparison made in this study considers the CBA model to be closer to the truth, acknowledging the underlying assumptions that should be considered during evaluation. In conclusion, within the context of offshore wind farm siting, the MCDM-AHP model produces outputs that are similar to the CBA model.

L’installation des énergies marines renouvelables s’effectue dans le respect des législations environnementales françaises. La séquence Eviter-Réduire-Compenser (ERC) est ainsi appliquée pour aboutir à une non-perte nette de biodiversité. L’objectif de la thèse est de questionner l’efficacité de cette séquence, et plus particulièrement celle de la compensation écologique, en tant qu’instrument d’internalisation et de lutte contre l’érosion de la biodiversité marine. Une approche empirique qualitative a ainsi été mise en oeuvre pour (i) identifier les facteurs écologiques et sociétaux ainsi que leurs caractéristiques théoriques qui doivent permettre à la compensation d’atteindre l’objectif de non-perte nette de biodiversité ; et (ii) contrôler si ces conditions sont vérifiées en pratique dans le cas de l’éolien en mer en Europe et en France. L’analyse met en avant les enjeux juridiques, institutionnels, méthodologiques et sociétaux à relever pour permettre à la compensation écologique d’atteindre son objectif. Sur la base de ce constat, une évaluation multicritères est proposée afin de renforcer les étapes d’évitement et de réduction pour finalement mieux définir les besoins de compensation écologique en mer. L’analyse met par ailleurs en évidence un glissement d’une compensation basée sur une équivalence écologique stricte à une compensation fondée sur une équivalence écologique relâchée. Les actions de compensation tendent à être plus généralistes et/ou davantage dirigées vers les services écosystémiques que sur les composantes des écosystèmes. Associées aux mesures d’accompagnement, elles peuvent contribuer à faciliter l’acceptabilité sociale d’un projet d’aménagement. / The installation of marine renewable energies is carried out in compliance with French environmental legislation. The mitigation hierarchy is thus applied to achieve an objective of no net loss of biodiversity. This thesis aims at questioning the effectiveness of the mitigation hierarchy and more specifically biodiversity offsetting as an internalization instrument to halt the erosion of marine biodiversity. We use a qualitative empirical approach to (i) identify the ecological and societal factors as well as their theoretical characteristics that are supposed to enable the offsets achieving the objective of no net loss of biodiversity; and (ii) control whether these conditions are verified in practice for the case of offshore wind farms in Europe and France. The analysis highlights the legal, institutional, methodological and societal issues to be addressed in order to enable biodiversity offsetting to achieve the no net loss priority. On the basis of this observation, a multi-criteria assessment is carried out to reinforce the avoidance and reduction steps of the mitigation hierarchy in order to better define offsetting needs. Ultimately, the analysis shows a shift in biodiversity offsetting based on a strict ecological equivalence to a biodiversity offsetting based on a released ecological equivalence. Offsetting actions tend to be more generalist and / or more directed to ecosystem services than to ecosystem components. Associated with accompanying measures, offsetting actions can help to increase the social acceptability of a development project.