Floating Wind Turbine Platform

The UBC Control Engineering Laboratory, led by Dr. Nagamune, is currently developing advanced controls algorithm for floating offshore wind turbines. Dr. Nagamune has based his controls algorithm on a currently existing Offshore Code Comparison Collaboration Continuation (OC4) semisubmersible wind turbine developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Design Goal

To design a scale model OC4 floating wind turbine platform that maintains stability in extreme weather conditions.

Project Description

A scale model of the Offshore Code Comparison Collaboration Continuation (OC4) semisubmersible wind turbine was developed to help the UBC Control Engineering Laboratory develop advanced control algorithms for floating wind turbines. The design maintains geometric similitude through Froude scaling, has a sensor package that is able to detect the dynamic response of the platform, and has two mooring line designs for pool and lake mooring. The sensor package contains an Arduino microcontroller, a 9 DOF Inertial measurement unit (accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer), and a GPS module.