IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v245y2025ics0960148125004355.html

An efficient integrated optimization framework for conceptual design of floater for floating wind turbines: A case study

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Changen
  • Chen, Peng
  • Shui, Yidi
  • Cheng, Zhengshun
  • Wang, Shuaishuai
  • Erfort, Gareth

Abstract

The integrated design of floating wind turbines (FWTs) holds significant promise for cost reduction, but applying existing optimization algorithms remains challenging due to efficiency issues. This paper proposes an Integrated Design Optimization (IDO) framework to address these challenges in the conceptual design of floater for FWTs. The IDO framework consists of three key modules: Floater design, Integrated modeling and analysis, and Optimization. The Floater design module includes panel meshing, adaptive ballast redistribution, hydrostatic property analysis, and hydrodynamic coefficients calculation, which are integrated to evaluate the platform's stability and preliminary hydrodynamic performance. The Integrated modeling and analysis module extends an in-house frequency-domain (FD) code to estimate the dynamic responses of the FWT system efficiently, which is verified by comparison with SESAM software. The Optimization module optimizes the dimensions according to design criteria and constraints about stability, safety, and cost-effectiveness. A case study of three-column semi-submersible platforms supporting the IEA 15 MW wind turbine demonstrates the framework's application. Results show that the final optimized floater design complies with regulatory standards, achieving a 40 % reduction in the pitch motion and a 17 % decrease in the tower base fore-aft bending moment. This research offers valuable technical support for the design and optimization of FWTs.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Changen & Chen, Peng & Shui, Yidi & Cheng, Zhengshun & Wang, Shuaishuai & Erfort, Gareth, 2025. "An efficient integrated optimization framework for conceptual design of floater for floating wind turbines: A case study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:245:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125004355
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.122773
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148125004355
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2025.122773?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Subbulakshmi, A. & Verma, Mohit & Keerthana, M. & Sasmal, Saptarshi & Harikrishna, P. & Kapuria, Santosh, 2022. "Recent advances in experimental and numerical methods for dynamic analysis of floating offshore wind turbines — An integrated review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    2. Tian, Zhongmei & Shi, Wei & Li, Xin & Park, Yonghui & Jiang, Zhiyu & Wu, Ji, 2025. "Numerical simulations of floating offshore wind turbines with shared mooring under current-only conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    3. Papi, F. & Bianchini, A., 2022. "Technical challenges in floating offshore wind turbine upscaling: A critical analysis based on the NREL 5 MW and IEA 15 MW Reference Turbines," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    4. Li, Wei & Wang, Shuaishuai & Moan, Torgeir & Gao, Zhen & Gao, Shan, 2024. "Global design methodology for semi-submersible hulls of floating wind turbines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Shi, Wei & Wang, Jiazhi & Ren, Yajun & Wang, Shuaishuai & Venugopal, Vengatesan & Han, Xu, 2025. "Novel conceptual design and performance analysis of a semi-submersible platform for 22 MW floating offshore wind turbine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    2. Zeng, Xinmeng & Shao, Yanlin & Feng, Xingya & Xu, Kun & Jin, Ruijia & Li, Huajun, 2024. "Nonlinear hydrodynamics of floating offshore wind turbines: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    3. Wang, Jiazhi & Ren, Yajun & Shi, Wei & Collu, Maurizio & Venugopal, Vengatesan & Li, Xin, 2025. "Multi-objective optimization design for a 15 MW semisubmersible floating offshore wind turbine using evolutionary algorithm," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PB).
    4. Hu, Lehan & Shi, Wei & Hu, Weifei & Chai, Wei & Hu, Zhiqiang & Wu, Jun & Li, Xin, 2025. "Short-term prediction of mooring tension for floating offshore wind turbines under typhoon conditions based on the VMD-MI-LSTM method," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    5. Mian, H.H. & Machot, F.A. & Ullah, H. & Keprate, A. & Siddiqui, M.S., 2025. "Advances in computational intelligence for floating offshore wind turbines aerodynamics: Current state review and future potential," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    6. Wang, Jiazhi & Song, Zhaobo & Shi, Wei & Wang, Shuaishuai & Wang, Wenhua & Haider, Rizwan & Li, Xin, 2025. "Design and coupled analysis of a novel floating offshore wind turbine combined with a fish cage for deep water," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    7. Lenci, Stefano, 2023. "Along-wind and cross-wind coupled nonlinear oscillations of wind turbine towers close to 1:1 internal resonance," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    8. Wang, Xinbao & Cai, Chang & Chen, Yewen & Chen, Yuejuan & Liu, Junbo & Xiao, Yang & Zhong, Xiaohui & Shi, Kezhong & Li, Qing'an, 2023. "Numerical verification of the dynamic aerodynamic similarity criterion for wind tunnel experiments of floating offshore wind turbines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    9. Hanbo Zhai & Chaojun Yan & Wei Shi & Lixian Zhang & Xinmeng Zeng & Xu Han & Constantine Michailides, 2025. "Experimental Study on the Hydrodynamic Analysis of a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Under Focused Wave Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-20, August.
    10. Qiao, Yanhui & Fang, Jianju, 2025. "Full system universal upscaling method for semi-submersible floating offshore wind turbines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    11. Wang, Tianyuan & Li, Demin & Greaves, Deborah & Hann, Martyn & Zhu, Kai & Li, Yanni & Gong, Haoxiang & Tao, Ji & Cao, Feifei & Shi, Hongda, 2025. "Numerical modelling and PTO damping optimization of an IEA-15-MW-VolturnUS-WEC hybrid system in real sea states," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 330(C).
    12. Travaglini, Riccardo & Papi, Francesco & Bianchini, Alessandro, 2025. "Floating wind farms in sea basins with moderate wind speeds: a critical assessment of the potential of low-specific-power turbines in reducing the LCoE," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    13. Grant, Elenya & Johnson, Kathryn & Damiani, Rick & Phadnis, Mandar & Pao, Lucy, 2023. "Buoyancy can ballast control for increased power generation of a floating offshore wind turbine with a light-weight semi-submersible platform," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 330(PB).
    14. Ghigo, Alberto & Faraggiana, Emilio & Giorgi, Giuseppe & Mattiazzo, Giuliana & Bracco, Giovanni, 2024. "Floating Vertical Axis Wind Turbines for offshore applications among potentialities and challenges: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    15. Liu, Qingsong & Bashir, Musa & Huang, Haoda & Miao, Weipao & Xu, Zifei & Yue, Minnan & Li, Chun, 2025. "Nature-inspired innovative platform designs for optimized performance of Floating vertical Axis wind turbines," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 380(C).
    16. Wei, Zhiwen & Cao, Feifei & Cao, Chunnuan & Han, Zhi & Shi, Hongda & Ji, Tao, 2025. "Experimental study on the effects of an array of concentric wave energy converters on the dynamic of semi-submersible floating wind turbine," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
    17. Song, Yupeng & Sun, Tao & Zhang, Zili, 2023. "Fatigue reliability analysis of floating offshore wind turbines considering the uncertainty due to finite sampling of load conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 570-588.
    18. Wang, Jiazhi & Shi, Wei & Ren, Yajun & Ran, Xiaoming & Collu, Maurizio & Venugopal, Vengatesan & Zhao, Haisheng, 2026. "An integrated multi-objective optimization framework for large-scale floating offshore wind turbine," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    19. Duan, Guiyue & Gattari, Daniele & Porté-Agel, Fernando, 2025. "Theoretical and experimental study on power performance and wake characteristics of a floating wind turbine under pitch motion," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 378(PA).
    20. Wang, Xinbao & Cai, Chang & Wu, Xianyou & Chen, Yewen & Wang, Tengyuan & Zhong, Xiaohui & Li, Qing'an, 2024. "Numerical validation of the dynamic aerodynamic similarity criterion for floating offshore wind turbines under equivalent pitch motions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:245:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125004355. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.