Experimental study on A Model Floating Wind Turbine under Surge Motion

Floating offshore wind turbines(FOWTs) represent a key technology for utilizingwind energy in deep-water regions. This study investigates the effects of surge motion on turbine power performance and wake behavior through wind tunnel experiments where a miniature turbine together with an in-house developed motion platform were employed. Surge motion with different frequencies and amplitudes were considered. A novel method was developed to capture wake velocity fields up to 10 rotor diameters downstream. The spectra of power outputs exhibit a peak at the surge frequency, indicating the direct influence of the surge motion on the power. Moreover, the surge motion significantly increases the standard deviation of power and a stronger effect at a higher surge frequncy and amplitude is also found while the effect on the time-averaged power output is less pronounced. Timeaveraged wake structures remain comparable across different cases, but the instantaneous wake fields in surge cases are mostly affected in the proximity of the turbine, while the farwake zone is less influenced. These findings improve understanding of FOWTs’ dynamics under surge motion and provide guidance for grid integration, farm layout, and turbine maintenance.