Further study of heave plate designs for enhancing motion control of floating offshore wind turbines

To enhance the motion control of floating offshore wind turbines in complex wave conditions, this paper further investigates heave plate designs, with a novel focus on the effects of perforation depth, hexagonal design, and combined perforation-hexagonal design on hydrodynamic damping and motion stability of the floating platform. Using numerical simulations and experimental testing methods, the research systematically analyzed the platform’s hydrodynamic characteristics and response amplitude operators (RAOs) under various heave plate designs and wave and wind conditions. Key findings reveal that increasing the perforation depth in heave plates significantly reduces RAO values for heave and pitch motions, with optimal stability achieved under the through perforation condition, where perforation depth equals heave plate thickness. Additionally, the introduction of a hexagonal design enhances vortex generation and force distribution, further reducing rotational motions, particularly at longer wave periods. The combined perforation-hexagonal design demonstrates superior damping performance, improving platform stability during motion. These findings highlight a novel, practical approach to enhancing the performance of floating wind turbine platforms under challenging marine conditions.