Session: 09-03-01 Wind Energy: Installation

Submission Number: 157496

Challenges in Shared Anchor Concept for Deep Water Floating Offshore Wind Turbines
 

About two thirds of the US offshore wind potential lies in the deeper waters. To effectively utilize this potential, it's crucial to optimize the anchoring systems of floating wind platforms. The concept of shared anchoring, where multiple turbines are anchored together rather than individually, is a novel approach being actively explored now. This concept is believed to be cost-beneficial given the reduced number of anchors and its related costs. In our paper, we examine the practicality of shared anchors on a commercial scale wind farm considering various parameters, including layout design, anchor forces, Annual Energy Production (AEP), Capital Expenditures (CAPEX), and the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). The analysis is conducted for  a water depth of 850 meters using 15MW turbines on semi-submersible platforms. We investigate a honeycomb-shaped layout where platforms are moored by synthetic taut mooring lines to shared anchor piles. Our findings indicate that the honeycomb layout leads to a reduction in  AEP compared to an optimized layout with individual anchors. Preliminary results show that the vertical forces on shared anchors are significantly higher than those on traditional individual anchors. This increase in force impacts CAPEX, leading to minimal cost savings for the evaluated location. Despite ongoing research anticipating benefits from shared anchoring, our study suggests that the overall cost benefit of shared anchors  for the specific scenario is marginal. Through this case study, the paper will provide insight on which parameters influence the conclusion, and under what conditions shared anchors could be beneficial. 

Presenting Author: Krishnaveni Balakrishnan EDF Renewables

Presenting Author Biography: Krishnaveni holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and masters in structural engineering. Having completed the master's, she worked as bridge engineer for a couple years followed by working as project scientist at National Institute of Ocean Technology for the research and development of offshore wind in India. After moving to the U.S., she completed her Ph.D on Shared anchors for floating offshore wind' from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is currently working with EDF Renewables as Lead Offshore Mooring Engineer in floating wind projects.