The 25 MW spar-type floating platform underwent an extensive experimental validation campaign at INTA-CEHIPAR, including hydrodynamic testing and coupled wind-and-wave tests using a hybrid-real-time-coupling system.
BlueNewables continues to advance the development of WIND-bos, its 25 MW spar-type floating platform for offshore wind, within the framework of the KSEI R&D project, a strategic technological cooperation initiative between Spain and Korea aimed at developing an integrated high-capacity floating offshore wind solution.
The KSEI project brings together the capabilities and expertise of both countries to jointly address the main technological challenges associated with the next generation of floating offshore wind farms. Within this framework, the Spanish side, with BlueNewables leading the platform development, is responsible for the floating platform and mooring system, while the Korean side leads the development of the wind turbine. This integration enables the coordinated development of a complete 25 MW solution, combining the specialized expertise of both countries
Experimental validation of WIND-bos
As part of the project’s validation activities, WIND-bos was tested at INTA-CEHIPAR’s facilities in El Pardo, using a 1:50-scale model of the platform.
The campaign included extensive hydrodynamic characterization through inclination tests, free-decay and moored-decay tests, static offset tests, regular waves, white-noise excitation and irregular sea states. The tests provided experimental data on natural periods, damping, mooring-system stiffness, RAOs, platform motions, accelerations and mooring-line tensions.
These results provided valuable information for benchmarking the numerical models and improving the ability to predict WIND-bos’s behaviour under different environmental conditions.
Integrating wind, waves and real-time simulation
One of the most innovative elements of the campaign was the performance of coupled wind-and-wave tests using a hybrid system that recalculates the wind-induced forces analytically in real time and combines them with the actual waves generated at the CEHIPAR facilities. This hybrid testing methodology was promoted by INTA-CEHIPAR in collaboration with BlueNewables.
The system enabled the physical platform model to be integrated with a real-time simulation of the wind turbine. The motions of the scale model were captured using a Qualisys system and transferred to OpenFAST, which calculated the turbine’s aerodynamic response virtually. The blade rotation was controlled by a controller developed by the Danish company Green Spin Partners. The resulting thrust was then physically applied to the model using a six-motor drone system.
This methodology enabled the coupled interaction between the turbine, control system, floating platform, mooring system and marine environment to be reproduced under both operating and survival conditions.
A new testing capability for floating offshore wind
In addition to contributing to the experimental validation of WIND-bos, the work carried out enabled the development and commissioning of a new coupled testing capability at INTA-CEHIPAR. This methodology originated at INTA-CEHIPAR more than fifteen years ago, and since then, several technology centres have further developed and enhanced it. With this initiative, CEHIPAR is once again taking up this line of research, reinforcing its position at the forefront of coupled testing for floating offshore wind technologies.
The ability to emulate the aerodynamic effect of a wind turbine through real-time simulation during a physical test provides a flexible methodology for evaluating future floating offshore wind platforms, without the need to physically reproduce all wind turbine components at scale.
This combination of advanced numerical simulation, physical experimentation and real-time control technologies strengthens the ability to validate high-capacity floating offshore wind solutions and reduces uncertainty regarding their behaviour under offshore conditions.
The campaign represents a collaborative milestone between industry and technology centres, marking significant progress for BlueNewables and its WIND-bos platform, while also strengthening testing capabilities applicable to future floating technologies. In this way, it contributes to the KSEI project’s objectives in terms of technological innovation, international cooperation, experimental validation, knowledge generation and technology maturity, as well as its potential for industrial exploitation.
Strengthening Spain-Korea technological cooperation
The campaign represents a relevant milestone within the KSEI project and highlights the value of technological cooperation between Spain and Korea, integrating capabilities in floating platform design, mooring systems, wind turbine technology, experimental hydrodynamics, numerical modelling and real-time control.
The results obtained strengthen the experimental basis of WIND-bos, contributing to its validation and future industrial development, while the hybrid-real-time-coupling system methodology developed together with INTA-CEHIPAR opens up new possibilities for the testing and validation of future floating offshore wind technologies.
In this way, the work contributes to the project’s objectives in terms of technological innovation, knowledge generation, experimental validation and technology maturity, while also reinforcing its potential for industrial exploitation.
The KSEI project is developed within the framework of bilateral R&D cooperation between Spain and Korea, with the support and funding of CDTI and KETEP, promoting the development of innovative technologies for the future deployment of high-capacity floating offshore wind solutions.
