Analysis of Challenges in the Mechanical Design of Offshore Wind Turbines

Abstract

This article examines the key engineering challenges associated with the mechanical design of offshore wind turbines operating in harsh marine environments. The study discusses the main structural categories–foundations, towers, and rotors–emphasizing their suitability for different sea depths and geological conditions. Mechanical factors that significantly influence structural reliability are analysed, including loads, corrosion, fatigue, vibration, and aerodynamic as well as mechanical noise. The research also highlights current technological trends such as the increasing use of composite materials, hybrid tower structures, anti–corrosion solutions, floating platforms for deep–water installations, and smart monitoring systems supported by artificial intelligence. Additionally, the paper evaluates international experience and its relevance to the Baltic Sea region, focusing on Lithuania’s potential and engineering priorities for offshore wind development. The findings show that the integration of modern materials, digital diagnostics, and advanced foundation technologies can considerably improve operational efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and extend structural lifespan.

Keywords

• Baltic Sea
• corrosion
• fatigue
• offshore wind turbines
• structural reliability

Supporting Institution

Klaipėdos valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution

Açık deniz rüzgar türbinlerinin mekanik tasarımındaki zorlukların analizi

Abstract

Bu makale, zorlu deniz koşullarında çalışan açık deniz rüzgar türbinlerinin mekanik tasarımıyla ilişkili temel mühendislik zorluklarını incelemektedir. Çalışma, temeller, kuleler ve rotorlar olmak üzere temel yapısal kategorileri ele alarak bunların farklı deniz derinlikleri ve jeolojik koşullar için uygunluklarını vurgulamaktadır. Yükler, korozyon, yorulma, titreşim ve aerodinamik ile mekanik gürültü dahil olmak üzere yapısal güvenilirliği önemli ölçüde etkileyen mekanik faktörler analiz edilmektedir. Araştırma ayrıca, kompozit malzemelerin artan kullanımı, hibrit kule yapıları, korozyon önleyici çözümler, derin su tesisleri için yüzen platformlar ve yapay zeka destekli akıllı izleme sistemleri gibi güncel teknolojik eğilimleri de vurgulamaktadır. Ek olarak, makale uluslararası deneyimi ve bunun Baltık Denizi bölgesiyle ilişkisini değerlendirerek, Litvanya'nın açık deniz rüzgarı gelişimindeki potansiyeline ve mühendislik önceliklerine odaklanmaktadır. Bulgular, modern malzemelerin, dijital teşhislerin ve gelişmiş temel teknolojilerinin entegrasyonunun operasyonel verimliliği önemli ölçüde artırabileceğini, bakım maliyetlerini azaltabileceğini ve yapısal ömrü uzatabileceğini göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Baltık Denizi
• korozyon
• yorulma
• açık deniz rüzgar türbinleri
• yapısal güvenilirlik

Supporting Institution

Klaipėdos valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution

References

1. [1] BalticWind.EU. Baltic Sea Offshore Wind OUTLOOK 2024–Special Report. BalticWind.EU, (2024). Retrieved from: https://balticwind.eu/baltic-sea-offshore-wind-outlook-2024/
2. [2] Juhl M., Hauschild M.Z., Dam-Johansen K. Progress in Organic Coatings, (2023). Sustainability of corrosion protection for offshore wind turbine towers. Vol. 186, Article 107998. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2023.107998
3. [3] Machado M.R., Dutkiewicz M. Energy Reports, (2024). Wind turbine vibration management: An integrated analysis of existing solutions, products, and open-source developments. Vol. 11, p. 3756–3791. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.03.014
4. [4] Borthwick A., Wu X., Hu Y., Li Y., Yang J., Duan L., Wang T., Adcock T.A.A., Jiang Z., Gao Z., Lin Z., Liao S. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, (2019). Foundations of offshore wind turbines: A review. Vol. 104, p. 379–393. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.01.012
5. [5] European Commission. Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/613 of 18 December 2023 on the draft updated integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Lithuania covering the period 2021–2030. Official Journal of the European Union, (2024). Retrieved from: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2024/613/oj
6. [6] Marinova N., Urbegain A., Benguria P., Travé A., Caracena R. Coatings, (2022). Evaluation of anticorrosion coatings for offshore wind turbine monopiles for an optimized and time-efficient coating application. Vol. 12, No. 3, Article 384. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12030384
7. [7] Abramić A., Cordero-Penín V., Haroun R. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, (2022). Environmental impact assessment framework for offshore wind energy developments based on the marine Good Environmental Status. Vol. 97, Article 106862. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2022.106862
8. [8] Horn J.-T., Leira B.J. Reliability Engineering and System Safety, (2019). Fatigue reliability assessment of offshore wind turbines with stochastic availability. Vol. 191, Article 106550. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2019.106550

9. [9] Lapastoure L.-M., Diambra A., Jalilvand S., Igoe D. Ocean Engineering, (2023). Assessment of cyclic superposition approaches for the cyclic design of monopiles supporting offshore wind turbines. Vol. 287, Article 115759. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.115759
10. [10] Subbulakshmi A., Verma M., Keerthana M., Sasmal S., Harikrishna P., Kapuria S. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, (2022). Recent advances in experimental and numerical methods for dynamic analysis of floating offshore wind turbines–An integrated review. Vol. 164, Article 112525. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112525
11. [11] Oh K.Y., Nam W., Ryu M.S., Kim J.-Y., Epureanu B.I. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, (2018). A review of foundations of offshore wind energy converters: Current status and future perspectives. Vol. 88, p. 16–36. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-3912-0_3
12. [12] Rinaldi G., Thies P.R., Johanning L. Energies, (2021). Current status and future trends in the operation and maintenance of offshore wind turbines: A review. Vol. 14, Issue 9, Article 2484. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14092484
13. [13] Teng W., Ding X., Tang S., Xu J., Shi B., Liu Y. Sensors, (2021). Vibration Analysis for Fault Detection of Wind Turbine Drivetrains–A Comprehensive Investigation. Vol. 21, Issue 5, Article 1686. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.3390/s21051686
14. [14] Haselibozchaloee D., Dehghan K., Khalili H., Rezaei M., Arabkoohsar A. Renewable Energy, (2022). A review of fatigue damage assessment in offshore wind turbine support structures. Vol. 185, p. 241–259. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.064
15. [15] Stellarix Insights.(2023). Achieving Sustainability with Offshore Wind Energy. Industry Research Report, p. 1–28. Retrieved from: https://stellarix.com (Offshore Wind Insights Report)