Design of Foundations for Offshore Wind Turbines

1Overview of a Wind Farm and Wind Turbine Structure

Learning Objectives

The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the power generation from wind and features of a wind turbine structure. The overall layout of a wind farm is also discussed to appreciate the multidisciplinary nature of the subject. The fundamental concepts and understanding of other disciplines and fields not directly related to foundations but are necessary to carry out the foundation design are also described with references for further study. The chapter also provides description of different types of foundations that are being used and planned to be used.

After you read this chapter, you will be able to: (i) appreciate the complexity and multidisciplinary nature of the design; (ii) get an overview of the subject; (iii) differentiate between oil and gas (O&G) structure and offshore wind turbine structure.

The chapters of the book are arranged in the following way: It starts with a system‐level understanding (overall wind farm – Chapter 1) and then to component level (foundations design – Chapters 2 and 3) and finally to the element level (soil behaviour, provided in Chapter 4). Chapter 5 discusses the different methods of analyses and Chapter 6 provides some example applications.

1.1 Harvesting Wind Energy

Offshore wind power generation has established itself as a source of reliable energy rather than a symbolism of sustainability. It has been reported by National Grid of the United Kingdom (UK) ...