Wind tunnel investigation of the influence of a floater pitch on aerodynamics of a floating offshore wind turbine

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of floater pitch angle on the wake characteristics of upwind and downwind wind turbines. To that end, wind tunnel experiments are performed with model wind turbine fitted on bases which are used to simulate floater pitch angles. Results are compared for static pitch angles of 0° and 10°. The mean wake profiles shift upward for upwind turbine and downward for downwind turbine, when the pitch angle is 10°. Since the rotor projected area-with respect to the incoming wind- decreases with pitch angle, wind speed in the wake is also higher when the floater pitch is larger. However, for the pitch angle considered in this study, the floater pitch has no significant effect on the turbulence profiles of the wake.