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SOLCYP+

Cyclic Loading on Monopiles for Offshore Wind Turbines

Today,fixed wind turbines represent the most mature MRE technology.

The foundation of a fixed wind turbine represents 15 to 20% of the total investment and no regulated framework exists for questions of design.

Strong constraints for energy efficiency imply a constant increase in turbine power and directly impact foundation dimensioning where installation and operating efforts are supported (high rotor frequencies and cyclic wave loads).

SOLCYP+, by bringing together the main actors of the sector, proposes to render reliable the methodology for dimensioning monopile foundations in order to optimize costs and toe nsure de-risking of projects through recommendations.

Objectives:

Monopile design for fixed offshore wind turbines-calculations in terms of installation procedures:

  • Define a completed and tested methodology in order to progress the applicable norms;
  • To understand carbonate sea floors that are currently unknown and frequently encountered on French MRE sites.

Centrifuge tests at 100×g

  • Study open ended monopiles instrumented with optical fibers;
  • Install monopiles in flight by hammering and load them horizontally without stopping the centrifuge acceleration. 

This project receives funding from France Energies Marines and its members and partners, as well as French State funding managed by the National Research Agency under the Investments for the Future Programme (ANR-10-IEED-0006-18).