Effect of curtailment scenarios on the loads and lifetime of offshore wind turbine generator support structures

Abstract Curtailment is a known phenomenon for wind turbine operators of both onshore and offshore generators (WTG). refers to the situation in which power output all WTG’s within windfarm forced below expected at occurring environmental conditions. A direct consequence curtailment loss production. In present contribution further consequences an farm (OWF) are studied from perspective support structure, specific foundation. relation couple potentially critical operational conditions impacting fatigue consumption structure can be identified. Besides standstill during windspeed conditions, damaging +7MW generation WTG’s, introduces repeated transitions between Since WTG cause high loads structural components WTG, their increased occurrence due might also have impact on structure. With growing interest industry quantify optimize lifetime view potential extension OWF assets, any condition investigated. The work focusses investigation these transitional load cycles may To assess lifetime, assessment damage equivalent (DEL) derived health monitoring (SHM) data used as data-driven alternative model-based simulations. such studies regimes with different frequency stop start lifetime. study performed based 1 year SHM collected two OWF’s. demonstrates that additional life considered when defining long-term strategy OWF.