With the expansion of offshore wind energy into deeper waters, Tension Leg Platforms (TLPs) have emerged as a promising substructure solution for large-scale Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWT) due to their inherent motion stability. This study presents a comprehensive dynamic response analysis of a conceptual TLP designed to support the 15 MW IEA reference wind turbine. The primary objective of this study is to systematically evaluate the performance of the proposed platform under a comprehensive set of environmental conditions. A high-fidelity, fully coupled aero-hydro-servo-elastic numerical model of the Tension Leg Platforms Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (TLP FOWT) system was developed with OrcaFlex. A comprehensive set of intact load cases, considering various co-directional wind, wave, and current approach angles, were simulated to characterize the platform’s dynamic behavior. Key performance indicators, including 6-DOF platform motions, nacelle accelerations, dynamic air gap, and tendon tensions, were statistically analyzed. Furthermore, an Accidental Limit State (ALS) analysis was conducted by simulating the sudden failure of a primary tendon under a severe storm condition to assess the system’s residual strength and stability. The analyses performed in this study confirm that the proposed TLP design is a viable and robust solution for supporting a 15 MW wind turbine. The platform complies with the primary performance, safety criteria of relevant design standards under both intact and damaged conditions, demonstrating its suitability for deep-water applications.
Hu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.