Context

Established in 1974, the International Energy Agency (IEA) carries out a broad programme of global cooperation by examining the full range of energy issues and advocating policies that will enhance security, economic development, environmental awareness and engagement. The operational implementation of these actions is carried out through 42 technology collaboration programmes, one of which is dedicated to wind energy and is called IEA Wind TCP. The latter is subdivided into several tasks, including Task 56, also known as OC7, which deals with code comparisons related to the modelling of offshore conditions.

Objectives

To improve the accuracy of structural load models used to design offshore wind energy systems, particularly floating systems

Scientific and technical content

• Adaptation of hydrodynamic modelling for diverse floating structures
• Incorporation of structural flexibility in design for larger turbines,
• Understanding of wake effects within wind farms, especially for floating systems

Organisation

This task builds on the successes of the OC3-OC6 projects to advance offshore wind energy design capabilities. It is led by Wood Group and Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions.
Among this task, work was launched in June 2024 on the implementation in numerical models of loads induced by breaking waves on floating offshore wind turbines. Led by France Energies Marines, this working group brings together: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU), EDF, Ifremer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Ocean University of China (OUC), Simis, et University College of Cork (UCC).

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