Insights into the dynamic induction in FOWT surge motion using an actuator-line model

Abstract

This research investigates the impact of surge motion on Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs) through dynamic inflow analyses using an in-house Actuator Line Model (ALM). The study explores surge reduced frequencies in the range from 1 to 10 to analyse the returning wake phenomenon occurring at blade passage frequency. The findings highlight the dampening effect of the rotor thrust and torque by 25% due to induction field inertia. Noteworthy observations include the filter-like effect on the span-wise induced velocity trends: with the frequency increment, the induction field is ’synchronised’ with the apparent wind and forces. The results of the analyses evidence the suitability of the induction parsed in the absolute reference frame to capture the induction field features, amplitude and phase shift, at increasing surge frequencies.