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SFB 1463:  Integrated Design and Operation Methodology for Offshore Megastructures

Subject Area Construction Engineering and Architecture
Computer Science, Systems and Electrical Engineering
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Mathematics
Physics
Thermal Engineering/Process Engineering
Term since 2021
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Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 434502799
 
The overall objective of the CRC remains unchanged and is the development of an integrated design and operation methodology based on the concept of a digital twin. This development goes far beyond the sequential state-of-the-art design. Therefore, research into physical, conceptional and methodological fundamentals is required. The definition of offshore megastructures used in the CRC is that they are slender structures of offshore wind turbines with rated power of more than 20 MW. These megastructures do not only feature huge dimensions and masses but also interact highly dynamically with their environment. According to this definition, the newest turbines developed by industry are already close to megastructures. The biggest operational turbine, the Chinese MySE 16-260, has a rated power of 16 MW. It is possible that the first offshore megastructures will be built during the proposed second funding period. This fact does not reduce the relevance of the fundamental research conducted in the CRC but rather underlines it. On the one hand, it emphasises that offshore megastructures will become indispensable for future power generation. On the other hand, although industry already builds offshore wind turbines close to megastructures, there is no experience of operating megastructures for 25 years or more. Industry faces – even for the current generation of turbines – significant challenges. For example, Siemens’ X4 and X5 series feature higher failure rates than expected, which might indicate a problem in the current design methodology. Hence, without completely new design and operation methodologies, a reliable operation of these large wind turbines for 25 years or more cannot be ensured. Therefore, fundamental research and a paradigm shift with respect to design and operation methodologies are very much required. In addition, the approach of an integrated design and operation methodology based on the concept of a digital twin is becoming even more urging. The reasons for this increased relevance of a digital twin are manifold. For example, in the next few decades, it will no longer be sufficient to optimise the design. An integrated approach will be needed, but is not yet available according to the state of the art. Only an integrated approach enables the consideration of, e.g., the challenges during operation or installation. An operating strategy which considers the current state of the turbine can extend lifetimes. Regarding installation, installation ships have already reached their maximum capacity today. When the size of the turbines increases yet further, i.e., they become megastructures, and the number of turbines to be installed also increases, e.g., 70 GW offshore wind energy in the German North and Baltic Sea by 2045, installation might also become a limiting factor. Hence, aspects like operation and installation must be considered in fundamentally new integrated approaches as the one proposed by the CRC.
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