Wrapped Composite Joints for Next Gen. OW support structures - II (WrapNode-II)
Publieke samenvatting / Public summary
Aanleiding
Offshore wind plays a crucial role in the energy transition and climate objectives of the Netherlands and the EU. With the increasing size of turbines and the deeper location of wind farms, the monopile foundations of offshore wind turbines increase in size, weight, and costs. Alternatives for the support structures such as jackets are lighter but have challenges for an economical design and manufacturing speed/capacity due to its unfavourable welded joints. The reason for this is that the complex welds in the joint region reduce the fatigue resistance of structural joints of circular hollow sections with factors that results in increased wall thicknesses of the tubes and overspending of steel in the multi-membered part of the jacket of approximately 80%. If the fatigue resistance for these joints can be increased, the wall thicknesses of the legs (chords) and brace members can be reduced resulting in significant lighter structures. If the complex joints can be prefabricated the production rate of the jackets structures can significantly increase. Tree Composites and TU Delft, together with their partners, are introducing the wrapped composite joint to solve these challenges.
Doelstelling
The goal of the project is to lower the LCOE and carbon footprint of offshore wind by further development of the wrapped composite joint in offshore wind structures. Within the WrapNode-II project the wrapped composite joint technology is developed towards full-scale application and validated on critical points. Prediction tools and manufacturing processes are developed, optimised, and validated. This is done with scaled and full-scale composite joint tests as well as via the production, assembly, and testing of a scaled jacket structure. These results will validate the use of wrapped composite joints in offshore jackets, bringing the Technology Readiness Level from a level 5 (WrapNode-I) towards level 6. This project supports the step towards implementation in a full-scale jacket structure planned in the follow-up project called WrapUp.
Korte omschrijving
The WrapNode-II project is divided into three work packages dealing with technology and an overarching work package dedicated to project planning/management and dissemination: 1. Jacket and Joint system validation 2. Joint design procedure and prediction tool development 3. Project management and dissemination The project will be executed by a consortium consisting out of TU Delft, Tree Composites, HSM offshore, Enersea, AOC, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Parkwind and Shell.
Resultaat
The project will deliver the following results: • Proof of concept: First assembled jacket structure that relies on composite joints instead of welded joints to transfer loads; • Performance and behaviour validation of a Jacket assembled with composite joints • Showcase feasibility repair and replacement methodology; • Report on the performance of above mentioned jacket; • Insight into cost, CO2 footprint, and production rate of the assembled jacket with wrapped composite joints; • Development and validation of methods to predict the static and fatigue performance and establishment of design procedures including long term influences; • Development of an optimised production methodology.
Offshore wind plays a crucial role in the energy transition and climate objectives of the Netherlands and the EU. With the increasing size of turbines and the deeper location of wind farms, the monopile foundations of offshore wind turbines increase in size, weight, and costs. Alternatives for the support structures such as jackets are lighter but have challenges for an economical design and manufacturing speed/capacity due to its unfavourable welded joints. The reason for this is that the complex welds in the joint region reduce the fatigue resistance of structural joints of circular hollow sections with factors that results in increased wall thicknesses of the tubes and overspending of steel in the multi-membered part of the jacket of approximately 80%. If the fatigue resistance for these joints can be increased, the wall thicknesses of the legs (chords) and brace members can be reduced resulting in significant lighter structures. If the complex joints can be prefabricated the production rate of the jackets structures can significantly increase. Tree Composites and TU Delft, together with their partners, are introducing the wrapped composite joint to solve these challenges.
Doelstelling
The goal of the project is to lower the LCOE and carbon footprint of offshore wind by further development of the wrapped composite joint in offshore wind structures. Within the WrapNode-II project the wrapped composite joint technology is developed towards full-scale application and validated on critical points. Prediction tools and manufacturing processes are developed, optimised, and validated. This is done with scaled and full-scale composite joint tests as well as via the production, assembly, and testing of a scaled jacket structure. These results will validate the use of wrapped composite joints in offshore jackets, bringing the Technology Readiness Level from a level 5 (WrapNode-I) towards level 6. This project supports the step towards implementation in a full-scale jacket structure planned in the follow-up project called WrapUp.
Korte omschrijving
The WrapNode-II project is divided into three work packages dealing with technology and an overarching work package dedicated to project planning/management and dissemination: 1. Jacket and Joint system validation 2. Joint design procedure and prediction tool development 3. Project management and dissemination The project will be executed by a consortium consisting out of TU Delft, Tree Composites, HSM offshore, Enersea, AOC, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Parkwind and Shell.
Resultaat
The project will deliver the following results: • Proof of concept: First assembled jacket structure that relies on composite joints instead of welded joints to transfer loads; • Performance and behaviour validation of a Jacket assembled with composite joints • Showcase feasibility repair and replacement methodology; • Report on the performance of above mentioned jacket; • Insight into cost, CO2 footprint, and production rate of the assembled jacket with wrapped composite joints; • Development and validation of methods to predict the static and fatigue performance and establishment of design procedures including long term influences; • Development of an optimised production methodology.