2024A-GS8-2 An Experiment on Wet-Towing Performance of Integrated Wind Turbine and Skirt Suction Foundation

Abstract

Research on a low-cost transportation and installation method for bottom-fixed offshore wind turbines using a skirt suction Jacket foundation (SSJ) is being conducted as part of a joint research project between Kyushu University and Obayashi Corporation. This study proposes a transportation method by wet-towing of an SSJ with a wind turbine installed using an auxiliary floater. We conducted towing tests in waves using a scaled model to verify its safety. We measured the model’s six degrees of freedom motion and towingforce in the tank tests under various experimental conditions. Additionally, as this method utilizes thebuoyancy generated by filling the three buckets with air, we also measured the air pressure inside the buckets.