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Current Advances in Offshore Wind Energy for Sustainability
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Current Advances in Offshore Wind Energy for Sustainability

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 11892

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ju Feng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Wind and Energy Systems, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Interests: wind energy; optimization; control; sustainability
Dr. Wu Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
Interests: material/substance flow analysis; sustainable transition; circular economy; material efficiency
Prof. Dr. Muk Chen Ong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
Interests: offshore wind energy; offshore renewable energy; offshore aquaculture technology; marine hydrodynamics; marine structures; marine operations; marine computational fluid dynamics; scour prediction and protection; sediment transport; soil liquefaction; offshore foundation design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations General Assembly (UN-GA) in 2015. To achieve this goal requires, among other things, the fast and sustainable development of offshore wind energy in the world. In the past three decade, offshore wind has experienced a tremendous capacity growth, thanks to an astonishing reduction of levelized cost of energy (LCOE) through technological advancements and industrial developments. However, focusing on LCOE alone has become more and more inadequate for the future development of offshore wind. As the share of offshore wind increases further in the energy mix, the sustainability of offshore wind itself and its contribution to the sustainability of the society in general need to be more closely examined and constantly improved.

In light of the above, this special issue, entitled with “Current Advances in Offshore Wind Energy for Sustainability”, aims to present studies that address the important topic of offshore wind energy for sustainability. Furthermore, with this special issue, we hope to foster the exchange of ideas from different perspectives and inspire more research and innovations in the field of offshore wind energy with sustainability as an essential objective. Ultimately, this will help to make offshore wind an important player in the sustainable future energy system.

Contributions to this Special Issue are expected to bring new knowledge and insights to offshore wind energy for sustainability. Themes include but are not limited to the following topics of offshore wind energy:

  • Life cycle assessment
  • Environmental impacts
  • Social impacts and acceptance
  • Planning and regulations
  • Energy policies and economics
  • Recycling and circular economy
  • New materials and innovative designs
  • Wind farm siting and design
  • Operation and maintenance
  • Power-to-X and hybrid energy systems
  • Integration and power system

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Ju Feng
Dr. Wu Chen
Prof. Dr. Muk Chen Ong
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • offshore wind
  • sustainability
  • life cycle analysis
  • recycling
  • environmental impacts
  • social acceptance
  • planning and regulations
  • siting and design
  • operation and maintenance
  • integration

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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31 pages, 3328 KiB  
Article
Feasibility of Natural Fibre Usage for Wind Turbine Blade Components: A Structural and Environmental Assessment
by Kyle Pender, Konstantinos Bacharoudis, Filippo Romoli, Peter Greaves and Jonathan Fuller
Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5533; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135533 - 28 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1343
Abstract
There are two key areas of development across wind turbine blade lifecycles with the potential to reduce the impact of wind energy generation: (1) deploying lower-impact materials in blade structures and (2) developing low-impact blade recycling solution(s). This work evaluates the feasibility of [...] Read more.
There are two key areas of development across wind turbine blade lifecycles with the potential to reduce the impact of wind energy generation: (1) deploying lower-impact materials in blade structures and (2) developing low-impact blade recycling solution(s). This work evaluates the feasibility of using natural fibres to replace traditional glass and carbon fibres within state-of-the-art offshore blades. The structural design of blades was performed using Aeroelastic Turbine Optimisation Methods and lifecycle assessment was conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of designs. This enabled the matching of blade designs with preferred waste treatment strategies for the lowest impact across the blade lifecycle. Flax and hemp fibres were the most promising solutions; however, they should be restricted to use in stiffness-driven, bi-axial plies. It was found that flax, hemp, and basalt deployment could reduce Cradle-to-Gate Global Warming Potential (GWP) by around 6%, 7%, and 8%, respectively. Cement kiln co-processing and mechanical recycling strategies were found to significantly reduce Cradle-to-Grave GWP and should be the prioritised strategies for scrap blades. Irrespective of design, carbon fibre production was found to be the largest contributor to the blade GWP. Lower-impact alternatives to current carbon fibre production could therefore provide a significant reduction in wind energy impact and should be a priority for wind decarbonisation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances in Offshore Wind Energy for Sustainability)
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20 pages, 16002 KiB  
Article
Study on Aerodynamic Performance and Wake Characteristics of a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine in Wind–Wave Coupling Field
by Xiaoling Liang, Zheng Li, Xingxing Han, Shifeng Fu, Weijun Zhu, Tianmei Pu, Zhenye Sun, Hua Yang and Wenzhong Shen
Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5324; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135324 - 22 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1106
Abstract
Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) exhibit complex motion with multiple degrees of freedom due to the interaction of wind and waves. The aerodynamic performance and wake characteristics of these turbines are highly intricate and challenging to accurately capture. In this study, dynamic fluid [...] Read more.
Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) exhibit complex motion with multiple degrees of freedom due to the interaction of wind and waves. The aerodynamic performance and wake characteristics of these turbines are highly intricate and challenging to accurately capture. In this study, dynamic fluid body interaction (DFBI) and overset grid technology are employed to investigate the dynamic motion of a 5 MW FOWT. We use the volume of fluid (VOF) method and improved delayed detached eddy simulation (IDDES) model to investigate the aerodynamic performance and wake evolution mechanism for various wave periods and heights. According to the findings, the magnitude of the pitch motion increases with the period and height of the waves, leading to a decrease in both the power output and thrust; the maximum power was reduced by nearly 6.8% compared to a wind turbine without motion. The value of power and thrust reduction varies for different wave periods and heights, and is influenced by the relative speed and pitch angle, which play a crucial role. Wind–wave coupling has a significant impact on the evolution of both wake and vortex structures for FOWT. The wake shape downstream is also dynamically influenced by the waves. In the presence of wind and wave coupling, the interaction between the wind turbine and the wake is heightened, leading to the merger of two unstable vortex rings into a single, larger vortex ring. The research unveils a comprehensive picture of the offshore wind energy dynamics and wake field, which holds immense significance for the design of floating wind turbines and the optimization of wind farm layout. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances in Offshore Wind Energy for Sustainability)
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21 pages, 2780 KiB  
Article
Lightweight Design of Vibration Control Devices for Offshore Substations Based on Inerters
by Yanfeng Wang, Chenghao Xu, Mengze Yu and Zhicong Huang
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3385; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083385 - 18 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1150
Abstract
Offshore substations are important sustainable power infrastructures subjected to strong vibrations induced by complex environmental excitations such as wind, waves, and currents. To protect the structures and expensive facilities, lightweight vibration control devices are highly desirable in offshore substations. With a high-performance energy [...] Read more.
Offshore substations are important sustainable power infrastructures subjected to strong vibrations induced by complex environmental excitations such as wind, waves, and currents. To protect the structures and expensive facilities, lightweight vibration control devices are highly desirable in offshore substations. With a high-performance energy dissipation device, the inerter, the conventional Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) is upgraded for lightweight vibration control. The optimal parametric design and performance evaluation of single- and double-tuned vibration control devices is performed based on the H-norm criteria. The corresponding equivalent mass ratios of both single- and double-tuned vibration control devices are summarized and formulated in a systematical manner. Finally, the presented optimal design formulas, equivalent mass ratios, and control performances are validated by vibration control analyses on a practical offshore substation. The results show that inerter-based vibration control devices can be effectively equivalent to a TMD, with the equivalent mass ratio. The double-tuned inerter-based device could save 25% mass compared to a TMD. With a Tuned Mass Damper Inerter (TMDI), the responsibility for the mass could be shared with dual-end connected inerters. Meanwhile, the Tuned Viscous Mass Damper (TVMD) completely replaces the mass block with an inerter, which has a superior lightweight vibration control performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances in Offshore Wind Energy for Sustainability)
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28 pages, 20047 KiB  
Article
Reference Power Cable Models for Floating Offshore Wind Applications
by Marek Jan Janocha, Muk Chen Ong, Chern Fong Lee, Kai Chen and Naiquan Ye
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2899; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072899 - 30 Mar 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2406
Abstract
The present study aims to address the knowledge gaps in dynamic power cable designs suitable for large floating wind turbines and to develop three baseline power cable designs. The study includes a detailed database of structural and mechanical properties for three reference cable [...] Read more.
The present study aims to address the knowledge gaps in dynamic power cable designs suitable for large floating wind turbines and to develop three baseline power cable designs. The study includes a detailed database of structural and mechanical properties for three reference cable models rated at 33 kV, 66 kV, and 132 kV to be readily used in global dynamic response simulations. Structural properties are obtained from finite element method (FEM) models of respective cable cross-sections built in UFLEX v2.8.9—a non-linear stress analysis program. Extensive mesh sensitivity studies are performed to ensure the accuracy of the predicted structural properties. The cable’s structural design is investigated using global response simulations of an OC3 5MW reference wind turbine coupled with the dynamic power cable in a lazy wave configuration. The feasibility of the present reference cable in floating offshore wind applications is assessed through a simplified analysis of cable fatigue life and structural integrity analysis of the cable in extreme environmental conditions. The analysis results suggest that the dynamic power cable does not significantly affect the response characteristics of the floating wind turbine in the analyzed lazy wave configuration. Furthermore, a simplified fatigue analysis demonstrates that the proposed cable design can sustain representative environmental loading scenarios and shows favorable dynamic performance in a lazy wave configuration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances in Offshore Wind Energy for Sustainability)
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23 pages, 2910 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Barriers to Wind Energy Development Using Analytic Hierarchy Process
by Priyom Das, S. M. Mezbahul Amin, Molla Shahadat Hossain Lipu, Shabana Urooj, Ratil H. Ashique, Ahmed Al Mansur and Md. Tariqul Islam
Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15774; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215774 - 9 Nov 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2487
Abstract
Despite the vast potential of wind energy, it has yet to be implemented widely in Bangladesh. Several barriers play major roles in obstructing the wind energy sector’s development in Bangladesh. Hence, it is necessary to identify these barriers to progress this sector’s growth. [...] Read more.
Despite the vast potential of wind energy, it has yet to be implemented widely in Bangladesh. Several barriers play major roles in obstructing the wind energy sector’s development in Bangladesh. Hence, it is necessary to identify these barriers to progress this sector’s growth. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is a multi-criteria decision-making method that can rank alternatives by considering multiple factors. It is a valuable tool for complex decision-making problems with multiple criteria, and their relationships must be clarified. So, in this analysis, AHP is used to rank the barriers related to wind energy development in Bangladesh. First, six main barriers and eighteen sub-barriers have been identified from a detailed and comprehensive literature review. The main barriers are categorized into technical, administrative, policy and political, economic, social, and geographic. After that, a questionnaire was sent to experts to obtain their opinions on these barriers. Based on the analysis, it was found that, with a weighted score of 0.46, technical barriers were the most significant ones. Administrative barriers ranked second with a weighted score of 0.21, and social barriers ranked last with a weighted score of 0.03. Among the sub-barriers, risks associated with technology were found to be the most significant, while land use conflict was found to be the least significant. Finally, several recommendations are provided to overcome the wind energy barriers in Bangladesh. The findings of this study can help policymakers and stakeholders develop strategies to overcome the barriers to wind energy development in Bangladesh. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances in Offshore Wind Energy for Sustainability)
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Review

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29 pages, 3625 KiB  
Review
A Review of the Sustainable Siting of Offshore Wind Farms
by Pandora Gkeka-Serpetsidaki, Georgia Skiniti, Stavroula Tournaki and Theocharis Tsoutsos
Sustainability 2024, 16(14), 6036; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146036 - 15 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1841
Abstract
The continued technical and economic development of offshore wind farms needs to match their sustainable siting transparently and fairly. Aiming to assess existing methodologies widely used in the field of OWFs spatial planning, as well as to identify the proposed enhancements for the [...] Read more.
The continued technical and economic development of offshore wind farms needs to match their sustainable siting transparently and fairly. Aiming to assess existing methodologies widely used in the field of OWFs spatial planning, as well as to identify the proposed enhancements for the improvement of such methods, this study examines 80 peer-reviewed papers over the past eight years. The analysis encompasses articles from 34 scientific journals, with a notable concentration in the journals Renewable Energy, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, and Energies, and it sheds light on geographical distribution, journal classification, funding sources, and the various methodological approaches. Most of the studies were conducted in Turkey, China, and Greece; half of the surveyed papers utilize multi-criteria decision-making approaches, predominantly addressing bottom-fixed technologies for offshore wind farms, which currently dominate the field. The 80 papers are categorized into five methodological domains: Marine Spatial Planning, Feasibility Analysis, Probabilistic Methods, Meteorological Data, and Multi-Criteria Decision Making. One hundred and seventy criteria were identified and condensed into a final set of 41 critical criteria. This article provided an overview of the site selection process and the most crucial findings and recommendations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances in Offshore Wind Energy for Sustainability)
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