The book chapter reviews the development of offshore wind energy systems. The author primarily focuses on the technology innovations and its contribution as a driver of rapid cost reduction. Offshore wind power provides tangible evidence of ocean energies' ability to contribute to our future energy mix.

Chapter Contents:

• 5.1 Offshore wind characterisation
• 5.1.1 The random nature of wind
• 5.1.2 Long-term offshore wind speed characteristics
• 5.1.3 Turbulence
• 5.1.4 Wake flow effects
• 5.1.5 Other offshore-specific conditions
• 5.2 Wind turbine technology development: a historical perspective
• 5.3 Basic principles of wind turbine operation
• 5.3.1 Energy conversion and concentration
• 5.3.2 One-dimensional momentum and Betz
• 5.3.3 1D momentum with rotational wake
• 5.3.4 Basic aerofoil principles
• 5.3.5 BEM theory
• 5.3.6 Basic corrections to BEM
• 5.3.6.1 Tip loss correction
• 5.3.6.2 High-induction factor correction
• 5.3.6.3 Corrections for skewed wake effects under yawed rotor conditions
• 5.3.6.4 Corrections for dynamic inflow and dynamic stall
• 5.3.6.5 Corrections for 3D stall delay
• 5.3.6.6 Summary of BEM correction terms
• 5.4 Offshore wind turbine control systems
• 5.4.1 Control system fundamentals
• 5.4.2 Steady-state control
• 5.4.3 Dynamic control
• 5.4.4 Advanced control for load suppression
• 5.4.4.1 Load measurements as input for advanced control
• 5.4.4.2 Wind measurements as input for advanced control
• 5.4.4.3 Synthetic damping of wave-induced structural excitation
• 5.5 The future of offshore wind turbine technology
• Acknowledgements
• References

Inspec keywords: offshore installations; technological forecasting; wind power; power generation economics; innovation management; cost reduction

Other keywords: rapid cost reduction; technology innovations; offshore wind energy systems

Subjects: Power system management, operation and economics; Energy and environmental policy, economics and legislation; Wind energy; Energy resources; Wind power plants