Development of a Scale Model Wind Turbine for Testing of Offshore Floating Wind Turbine Systems

             This thesis presents the development of a 1/50^th scale 5 megawatt wind turbine intended for wind/wave basin model testing of commercially viable floating wind turbine structures.  The design is based on a popular 5 megawatt wind turbine designed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) commonly utilized in computer modeling efforts.  The model wind turbine is to accompany generic floating model platforms for basin model testing.  The ultimate goal of the model development and testing program is to collect data for validating various floating wind turbine simulation or computer codes such as those developed by NREL.

            This thesis will present an overview of the model testing program and detailed information on the scaling methodology, design and physical characterization of the final wind turbine model.  The discussion of scaling methodology includes a presentation of scaling relationships used to ensure loads and forces controlling the floating wind turbine motions and internal reactions are properly scaled during basin model testing.  Particular attention is paid to effects that are difficult to scale properly, for example, those that control the aerodynamic performance of a wind turbine important for maintaining power and thrust.  Design methods, final designs and all instrumentation and components of the 1/50^th scale model are detailed with additional discussion concerning special fabrication techniques and component testing where applicable.  Finally, results from tests conducted on the model wind turbine covering the turbine physical characteristics, structural dynamic response, and generated power and thrust are provided and compared to design targets to determine the overall effectiveness of the created model wind turbine used for wind/wave basin model testing.