Aerodynamic Performance and Wake Characteristics of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine under Pitch Motion

In actual marine environments, the aerodynamic behavior and wake properties of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) are largely shaped by the pitching movement of their supporting platforms. The present study examines the aerodynamic performance and wake characteristics of a complete wind turbine system, encompassing its blades, nacelle, and tower, through the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the overset mesh method. This paper conducts an in-depth examination of how the amplitude and period of pitching motion influence the aerodynamic loads and flow field associated with wind turbines. The power and wake velocity results calculated in the study are compared with those obtained from numerical simulations by other researchers. The results indicate that the mesh and simulation parameters employed in this research precisely capture the aerodynamic characteristics and flow field surrounding the turbine. This work deliberates on how the amplitude and period of pitch motion impact the turbine aerodynamic behavior, while also conducting a quantitative analysis of the influence on the wake velocity recovery and wake range of the turbine. Findings from this research reveal that both the amplitude and period of pitching motion exert a significant impact on power output, thrust force, and wake-related properties.