Effects of combined platform rotation and pitch motions on aerodynamic loading and wake recovery of a single-point moored twin-rotor floating wind turbine

Wake effects reduce the power output, increasing the already high costs and operational expenses of floating wind farms. Single-point moored twin-rotor floating wind turbines present a cost-effective alternative to conventional large wind turbines of equivalent capacity. This study explores the effects of combined active platform rotation and pitch motions on the aerodynamic and wake characteristics of such turbines. It remains uncertain how these combined motions affect the aerodynamics and wake patterns. This study investigates the impact of combined motion amplitudes and periods on the aerodynamic performance of a twin-rotor floating wind turbine. The findings suggest that combined platform motions can enhance aerodynamic torque without significantly affecting total thrust and facilitate development of wake breakup. An extended period of platform rotation acts as a trigger for initiating wake meandering. Moreover, increasing both the period of platform rotation and the initial phase difference between rotation and pitch motions can reduce aerodynamic torque and expedite wake recovery. Optimizing the balance between aerodynamic performance and wake recovery in twin-rotor floating wind turbines may be achievable through well implemented platform rotation motions. This study offers a potentially effective method for wake control, which could enhance the power output of downstream wind turbines in floating wind farms.