Validation of a FAST spar-type floating wind turbine numerical model with basin test data

Abstract

Global development of the offshore wind energy is devoted to applying into deep water sea areas. Spar-type floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) has been demonstrated as the most mature FOWT concept, which has been studied for the longest time by researchers among all of the FOWT concepts in the world. Due to its excellent hydrodynamic performance, spar-type FOWT is considered as the most suitable type applied in deep water and harsh sea environment conditions, which has a huge market application foreground in the future. As a consequent, investigation of the offshore wind energy requires the hydro-aero-elastic-servo simulation tools to predict the coupled complex behavior of the FOWT system. However, little validation work has been done by now in the public domain. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to validate the commonly used simulation tool, FAST (Fatigue, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Turbulence), by referring to published basin test data. Through in-depth analysis of its advantages and deficiencies, it provides a good reference for the further improvement of this floating wind turbine's numerical simulation tool in the future.