Real-time hybrid model tests of floating offshore wind turbines: Status, challenges, and future trends

Offshore wind energy is being supported by more national policies. The complexity of the marine environment makes it more difficult to study the coupling performance of offshore wind turbines. Physical model testing is a research method, but there are still challenges such as scale conflicts and the reproduction of turbulent winds. At present, the issue of uncoordinated scaling laws cannot be solved well by increasing the wind speed, changing the blade chord length, or adjusting the airfoil. Recently developed real-time hybrid model (RTHM) test combining the merits of both numerical model and physical test is one of the most promising approaches to solve these problems. This paper systematically reviews the early history, current situations, and development trends of floating wind energy technology and model test methods. The research progresses of real-time calculations of numerical substructure, real-time loading of physical substructure, real-time signal acquisition and transmission are introduced. Finally, four future research trends are summarized, which can provide a reference for relevant numerical simulations, physical modeling, communication mechanisms, and error processing in future RTHM tests.