Optimized Design of Offshore Wind Turbines

A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Ocean Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 May 2026 | Viewed by 2219

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Interests: floating foundation for offshore wind turbine; structural design of foundation for wind turbine; offshore renewable energy structures and construction technologies

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Ocean Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
Interests: marine energy; wave-structure interaction; offshore structures; floating wind turbines; mooring system; hydrodynamics; wave energy converter; monopile; digital twin; aquaculture
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Offshore wind turbine (OWT) technology stands at the forefront of the offshore renewable energy sector, presenting immense commercial potential. Currently, fixed-bottom OWTs maintain their dominance, while floating OWTs (FOWTs) are rapidly emerging, poised to expand the technological and geographical scope of offshore wind energy. Optimizing OWT design is imperative, unlocking significant cost savings and addressing engineering challenges. This comprehensive effort focuses on enhancing the wind turbines and their supporting structures. For the turbines, advances in aerodynamic design, adaptive control systems, and high-performance lightweight materials are essential for maximizing energy capture and operational reliability. Meanwhile, the supporting structures demand innovative foundation designs capable of withstanding harsh and dynamic marine environments, complemented by robust strategies for corrosion mitigation and fatigue resistance to ensure long-term structural integrity.

We would like to invite papers on the topic of "Optimized Design of Offshore Wind Turbines". This includes but is not limited to optimal design and control-informed optimization algorithms applied to OWT systems, model-based and data-driven energy-maximizing control strategies, strategic wind farm layout, design and optimization of OWT support structures, numerical simulations and experimental validations, and solutions for handling extreme marine conditions and nonlinear dynamics.

Dr. Conghuan Le
Prof. Dr. Kai Wang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • optimized design
  • integrated design
  • offshore wind turbine
  • numerical simulation
  • model test
  • pile–soil interaction
  • hydrodynamics
  • aerodynamics
  • cost-reduction
  • model-based and data-driven

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

31 pages, 16779 KB  
Article
Experimental Analysis of Water-Injection Uplift Recovery for Fixed Foundations in Offshore Wind Power
by Xin Qi, Xiaoxuan Tian, Tingyuan Wang and Puyang Zhang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(12), 2260; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13122260 - 27 Nov 2025
Viewed by 162
Abstract
As early offshore wind turbines approach their design life, the efficient decommissioning of their foundations has become a critical technical challenge. Current methods often suffer from low recovery efficiency and poor operational stability. This study addresses these problems by systematically investigating the mechanical [...] Read more.
As early offshore wind turbines approach their design life, the efficient decommissioning of their foundations has become a critical technical challenge. Current methods often suffer from low recovery efficiency and poor operational stability. This study addresses these problems by systematically investigating the mechanical characteristics of the water-injection uplift recovery technology using laboratory-scale model tests. We analyze the influence of key operational parameters—specifically water injection rate, embedment conditions, and pile dimensions—on the full-process uplift mechanics. The research results indicate that while a faster injection rate improves recovery velocity, it also induces detrimental “jump-like behavior” and eccentric uplift, significantly increasing the risk of pile toppling. We identify that employing a combined “fast-to-slow” injection sequence is an optimal strategy, as it effectively balances recovery efficiency with process stability while reducing the risk of seepage failure. This study reveals the critical coupling relationship between injection pressure distribution and the pile–soil seepage state, providing an experimental basis and theoretical reference for optimizing the water-injection process to ensure safe and stable foundation recovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimized Design of Offshore Wind Turbines)
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13 pages, 1282 KB  
Article
Multi-Objective Optimization for PTO Damping of Floating Offshore Wind–Wave Hybrid Systems Under Extreme Conditions
by Suchun Yang, Shuo Zhang, Fan Zhang, Xianzhi Wang and Dongsheng Qiao
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(11), 2084; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13112084 - 1 Nov 2025
Viewed by 372
Abstract
Floating offshore wind–wave hybrid systems, as a novel structural form integrating floating wind turbine foundations and WECs, can effectively enhance the efficiency of renewable energy utilization when properly designed. A numerical model is established to investigate the dynamic responses of a wind–wave hybrid [...] Read more.
Floating offshore wind–wave hybrid systems, as a novel structural form integrating floating wind turbine foundations and WECs, can effectively enhance the efficiency of renewable energy utilization when properly designed. A numerical model is established to investigate the dynamic responses of a wind–wave hybrid system comprising a semi-submersible FOWT and PA wave energy converters. The optimal damping values of the PTO system for the wind–wave hybrid system are determined based on an NSGA-II. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of dynamic responses is carried out for the PTO system with different states: latching, fully released, and optimal damping. Under the same extreme irregular wave conditions, the pitch motion of the FOWT with optimal damping is reduced to 71% and 50% compared to the latching and fully released states, respectively. The maximum mooring line tension in the optimal damping state is similar to that in the fully released state, but nearly 40% lower than in the latching state. This optimal control strategy not only sustains power generation but also enhances structural stability and efficiency compared to traditional survival strategies, offering a promising approach for cost-effective offshore wind and wave energy utilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimized Design of Offshore Wind Turbines)
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23 pages, 3626 KB  
Article
Experimental and Parametric Study on Mechanical and Motion Responses of a Novel Air-Floating Tripod Bucket Foundation with Taut Mooring
by Xianqing Liu, Yun He, Yu Zhang, Puyang Zhang, Shenghong Hu, Yutao Feng and Nan Lv
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(9), 1786; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13091786 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 537
Abstract
In the present study, a novel air-floating tripod bucket foundation (AFTBF) with taut mooring is proposed. The mechanical and motion response characteristics of this foundation were investigated through model tests. Furthermore, a parametric study was performed on the factors influencing the RAOs of [...] Read more.
In the present study, a novel air-floating tripod bucket foundation (AFTBF) with taut mooring is proposed. The mechanical and motion response characteristics of this foundation were investigated through model tests. Furthermore, a parametric study was performed on the factors influencing the RAOs of mooring tension, air cushion pressure, as well as motion in the surge, heave, and pitch directions. The conclusion of this research is as follows: mooring tension, air cushion pressure, and pitch angle exhibit wave-frequency responses in small periods and low-frequency responses in large periods. Surge response is characterized by dual-peak features, while heave response predominantly demonstrates wave-frequency characteristics. As draft increases, the air cushion pressure inside the buckets exhibits a decreasing trend. Changes in water depth have more pronounced impacts on mooring tension and motion responses than on air cushion pressure. The impacts of changes in mooring distance and water depth on mechanical and motion responses are significantly more pronounced than those induced by changes in draft. These findings provide a critical foundation for the optimal design of this foundation in water depths of 30–50 m. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimized Design of Offshore Wind Turbines)
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25 pages, 4591 KB  
Article
Dynamic Response Analysis of a New Combined Concept of a Spar Wind Turbine and Multi-Section Wave Energy Converter Under Operational Conditions
by Jiahao Xu, Ling Wan, Guochun Xu, Jianjian Xin, Wei Shi, Kai Wang and Constantine Michalides
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1538; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081538 - 11 Aug 2025
Viewed by 788
Abstract
To achieve the ‘zero carbon’ target, offshore renewable energy exploration plays a key role in many countries. Offshore wind energy and wave energy are both important offshore renewable energies. With the target to reduce the cost of energy, a new combined wind and [...] Read more.
To achieve the ‘zero carbon’ target, offshore renewable energy exploration plays a key role in many countries. Offshore wind energy and wave energy are both important offshore renewable energies. With the target to reduce the cost of energy, a new combined wind and wave energy converter is proposed in this work. The new concept consists of a spar-type floating wind turbine and a multi-section pitch-type wave energy converter (WEC). The WEC is attached to the spar column and consists of multiple sections with different lengths to absorb wave energy at different wave frequencies, i.e., multi-band absorption. Through multi-band wave energy absorption, the total power is expected to increase. In addition, through synergetic design, the dynamic motions of the platform are expected to decrease. In this paper, a fully coupled numerical model of the concept is established, based on the hybrid time–frequency-domain simulation framework. The frequency-domain hydrodynamic properties were transferred to the time domain. Then, the dynamic performance of the combined concept under wind–wave conditions was studied, especially under operational conditions. Mechanical couplings among multiple floating bodies were taken into account. To demonstrate the WEC effects on the floating wind turbine, the dynamic performance of the combined wind–wave energy converter concept was compared with the segregated floating wind turbine, with a focus on motions and output power. It was expected that the average overall output power of the multi-section WEC could be above 160 kW. The advantages of the combined concept are demonstrated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimized Design of Offshore Wind Turbines)
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