Abstract
Energy is the driving force behind our world, permeating every facet of humanactivity. The phrase "energy transition" reverberates worldwide as a
prominent theme. What has become of our traditional methods of energy
consumption nowadays? The consensus among international experts is clear:
human activities are hastening global warming and climate change. We are
well aware of our energy demands, and it's evident that a significant portion
of our energy consumption stems from the combustion of fossil fuels, a major
contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. While the world's energy
requirements persist, energy production continues to play a role in
exacerbating global warming.
Hence, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture where the world is clamouring
for a shift in the energy paradigm. Renewable energy sources undeniably play
a vital role in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Within this realm, offshore
renewable energies, particularly wind energy, hold substantial promise, yet
they remain an evolving frontier. As is the case with any emerging field, it is
associated with a high cost of energy production. Achieving economies of scale
is not feasible at this point, due to the high costs associated with process
design, fabrication strategies, commissioning and decommissioning of these
systems. While the technologies demonstrate efficacy in demonstration and
few system farm projects, further research and development are imperative
for them to become cost-effective and achieve a commercial stage. In essence,
the levelized cost of energy represents the relationship between the
production costs and the resultant income from energy production. Enhancing
energy production while effectively managing costs holds the key to reducing
the overall cost of energy generated by floating wind energy systems.
In this regard, the principal aim of this thesis is to advance our comprehension
of the impact of advanced control algorithms on enhancing the power output
of floating wind energy devices while extending their expected operational
life. To fulfil this objective, different control strategies are formulated,
compared, and evaluated in complex simulation model, such as OpenFAST.
Supporting the formulation, the comparison and the evaluation, a numerical
model capturing the most important system dynamics for control design
together with the energy conversion process of floating offshore wind energy
is generated. The reduced dynamic model operates in the time domain, as
transient events induced by controller behaviour necessitate meticulous
consideration. Furthermore, an optimization framework is introduced,
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encompassing both controller and system design, which is primarily employed
in the controller scenario. The assessed cost function is chosen for its
computational efficiency.
In the course of this thesis, we have embarked on a journey through diverse
research fields, and within each of these, we have actively contributed. Our
overarching objective, unwavering throughout, has been the reduction of
costs associated with early-stage design. By delving into the main problems,
we seek to uncover innovative control strategies, harness the different
emerging technologies for modelling and control, enhancing their efficiency.
Through this multifaceted exploration, we attempt to foster more accessible
and cost-effective pathways for early-stage design in the ever-evolving
landscape of floating offshore wind energy.
| Date of Award | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | José Ignacio Llorente González (Supervisor) & Eider Robles Sestafe (Supervisor) |