Performance of a floating wind turbine with a centreboard and heave plate at two North Sea sites: a numerical evaluation informed by experimental findings

A floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) offers a solution for harnessing wind energy in extensive offshore areas far from the coast; however, evaluating its motions under combined wave and wind conditions presents challenges. The present study numerically assesses the effectiveness of a passive motion reduction system, previously tested experimentally, consisting of a centreboard and a heave plate, in sea conditions at two sites in the North Sea that differ in energy. The performance of the OC4 DeepCwind semi-submersible platform is investigated using WEC-Sim and MOST, both with and without the motion reduction system. The results indicate reduced surge, heave, and pitch motions, along with decreased tower base and blade root loads, resulting in increased power output. These findings demonstrate the system's capacity to enhance platform performance in offshore environments, thereby advancing floating wind technology.