SUPPORT STRUCTURE CONCEPTS FOR OFFSHORE WIND TURBINES

Click here to view large image Jacket structures on their way to site. Photo: Alpha Ventus

No less than 104 different types ofsupport structures competed when in 2009 the UK fund Car on !rust set out to find the most cost effective" #ut even though the variety is large$ support structure concepts are asically divided into two groups% &loating or 'rounded" &loating concepts imply that the support structure transfers loads and forces to the water$ not the soil" Connection to the soil only ensures that the support structure stays in place" 'rounded concepts imply that the support structure transfers all loads and forces to the sea ed" !he figure shows an overview of the types of structures and foundations" (ee the article )*hat is the support structure) for more definitions$ e"g" on the distinction etween support structure and foundation"

The different types of foundations and support structures for Offshore Wind Turbines (OWT). The o erall do!inant one is the !onopile" which is both piled in foundation and support structure. #llustration: $O%&

!he two concepts have strong differences$ which make them applica le for various environments" (peaking generally$ the pros and cons of floating concepts are%

+ro% ,arge water depths - theoretically no limit +ro% &loating structures allow full fa rication at shipyard and transport to site in one piece" Con% .ery e/pensive construction Con% Commercially uninteresting for many countries with large areas of shallow water

!he pros and cons of grounded concepts are%

+ro% ,ess e/pensive +ro% ,arge potential with water depths up to 00 meters or even deeper" Con% 1/pensive transportation and installation Con% 2ost types have only een installed in water 3 20 meters"

Monopiles rule so far 4n the grounded concepts$ the two ma5or types used are the piled foundations and gravity6 ased foundations" !he monopile is the most dominant$ ecause of its simplicity in fa rication and installation" 7owever$ at large water depths the foundation is piled$ ut the support structure is more comple/$ i"e" a 5acket or a tripod structure" 'ravity6 ased support structures are the second ma5or type at the moment$ ut they lack the potential for large water depths" !his is ecause when the water depth increases$ the mass of the gravity6 ased foundation also has to increase$ which leads to pro lems for transportation and installation" 7owever$ the gravity6 ased foundations are simple to produce - although they re8uire a large mass" !here y they ecome very sta le and e/perience no lifting etween the sea ed and the support structure" &or more details on each support structure concept$ click the articles in the menu"