Observer-Based Robust Control for Dynamic Positioning in Float-Over Installation of Offshore Converter Stations

Li, Ping; Zhao, Li; Ouyang, Mingjun; Zhao, Jinghao; Zhao, Rui; Zou, Meiyan; Chen, Mingsheng

doi:10.3390/jmse13101927

Open AccessArticle

Observer-Based Robust Control for Dynamic Positioning in Float-Over Installation of Offshore Converter Stations

by

Ping Li

¹,

Li Zhao

¹,

Mingjun Ouyang

²,

Jinghao Zhao

²,

Rui Zhao

¹,

Meiyan Zou

² and

Mingsheng Chen

^2,*

¹

Shandong Electric Power Engineering Consulting Institute Corp., Ltd., Jinan 250013, China

²

School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Energy Power Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(10), 1927; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13101927

Submission received: 2 September 2025 / Revised: 25 September 2025 / Accepted: 26 September 2025 / Published: 9 October 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Propulsion Systems: Hydrodynamics, Numerical Simulation, and Intelligent Control)

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Abstract

With the development of offshore wind power progressing towards larger-scale and deeper-water projects, the float-over installation of offshore converter stations has become a mainstream solution due to its high carrying capacity, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This study addresses the dynamic positioning (DP) challenges during this operation, where traditional PID controllers often struggle with performance under complex environmental loads. An Observer-Based Robust Controller (OBRC) is proposed and integrated with a constant parameter time-domain model (CPTDM) to simulate the DP process of a novel T-U barge. Time-domain simulations for both standby and entry phases were conducted under various wave directions and periods. The results demonstrate that the OBRC significantly outperforms the conventional PID controller in maintaining positioning accuracy. The findings provide critical insights into motion responses and control strategies, offering valuable guidance for the design and safe operation of future float-over installations.

Keywords: offshore converter station; dynamic positioning; OBRC; float-over installation

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MDPI and ACS Style

Li, P.; Zhao, L.; Ouyang, M.; Zhao, J.; Zhao, R.; Zou, M.; Chen, M. Observer-Based Robust Control for Dynamic Positioning in Float-Over Installation of Offshore Converter Stations. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13, 1927. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13101927

AMA Style

Li P, Zhao L, Ouyang M, Zhao J, Zhao R, Zou M, Chen M. Observer-Based Robust Control for Dynamic Positioning in Float-Over Installation of Offshore Converter Stations. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2025; 13(10):1927. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13101927

Chicago/Turabian Style

Li, Ping, Li Zhao, Mingjun Ouyang, Jinghao Zhao, Rui Zhao, Meiyan Zou, and Mingsheng Chen. 2025. "Observer-Based Robust Control for Dynamic Positioning in Float-Over Installation of Offshore Converter Stations" Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 13, no. 10: 1927. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13101927

APA Style

Li, P., Zhao, L., Ouyang, M., Zhao, J., Zhao, R., Zou, M., & Chen, M. (2025). Observer-Based Robust Control for Dynamic Positioning in Float-Over Installation of Offshore Converter Stations. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(10), 1927. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13101927

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Observer-Based Robust Control for Dynamic Positioning in Float-Over Installation of Offshore Converter Stations

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