Office/Division Program
TAP
Project Number
814
Peer Review Type
Not Influential/Waived
Peer Review Type Clarification
Not Influential/Waived: Not representing BSEE's Official Position due to data gathering without direct influence on BSEE decisions
Category
Research Initiation Date (Award Date)
Research Completion Date (POP End)
Research Performing Organization
Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council
Research Principal Investigator
David Ciochetto, Christopher D.P. Baxter, Aaron S. Bradshaw, Eric Hines, Babak Moaveni, Kathrine Quale, Per Sparrevik
Research Contracting Agency
Research Contract Award Value
$750,000.00
Description
Category: Offshore Wind, structures, digital twin
See Final Research Abstract
Latest progress update
Completed
Final Research Abstract
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Pilot Structural Monitoring Project aimed to (1) design and install a continuous monitoring system to capture benchmark structural performance data for CVOW turbines, support structures, and foundations; (2) develop automated data processing methodologies; and (3) archive and report structural performance over approximately 12 months to validate design assumptions for regulatory oversight.
Instrumentation included accelerometers at four tower heights, strain gauges at two levels, and an inclinometer at the base of 2 Towers. Data acquisition at 50 Hz began in October 2022 and continues as of the end of this research period. Key tasks encompassed developing a finite element model as a digital twin, determining resonant frequencies and damping, evaluating stress-strain histories, measuring structural tilt, and assessing cyclic loading and fatigue on monopile foundations.
Results provide critical insights into structural behavior under U.S. offshore conditions, which differ from European wind farms, informing design standards and service life extension decisions. The study demonstrates that coupling active monitoring with digital twin modeling enables fault and damage detection throughout a wind farm’s operational life. These findings support BSEE’s mission to ensure safety and environmental protection.
Publication date: 09/15/2025
Instrumentation included accelerometers at four tower heights, strain gauges at two levels, and an inclinometer at the base of 2 Towers. Data acquisition at 50 Hz began in October 2022 and continues as of the end of this research period. Key tasks encompassed developing a finite element model as a digital twin, determining resonant frequencies and damping, evaluating stress-strain histories, measuring structural tilt, and assessing cyclic loading and fatigue on monopile foundations.
Results provide critical insights into structural behavior under U.S. offshore conditions, which differ from European wind farms, informing design standards and service life extension decisions. The study demonstrates that coupling active monitoring with digital twin modeling enables fault and damage detection throughout a wind farm’s operational life. These findings support BSEE’s mission to ensure safety and environmental protection.
Publication date: 09/15/2025