Integrated Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing for Real-time Monitoring of Offshore Wind Turbine Gearboxes, Tower Operations, and Marine Animal Activities

Floating offshore wind systems offer a promising potential to expand renewable energy generation by utilizing deep ocean wind resources. However, the deployment of these systems requires advanced monitoring techniques to ensure structural integrity and minimize environmental impacts. This project, funded by the California Energy Commission, provided enhanced monitoring of floating offshore wind systems by integrating distributed fiber-optic sensing technologies. This research focused on three key areas: monitoring wind tower integrity, assessing gearbox performance with high-resolution strain measurements, and detecting marine mammal activity using distributed acoustic sensing.

The experiments demonstrated that distributed fiber-optic sensing technologies could effectively monitor strain profiles in wind towers and gearboxes in addition to providing detailed operation monitoring and early detection of potential failures. Distributed acoustic sensing was validated as a non-invasive tool for detecting whale vocalizations, although challenges related to noise mitigation were identified. The project’s knowledge transfer activities facilitated dissemination of findings through scholarly publications, industry collaborations, and government engagement, establishing a foundation for future research and technology adoption.

Overall, this project advanced state-of-the-art technology for floating offshore wind monitoring and contributed to the development of safer and more environmentally responsible offshore wind-energy systems. Recommendations include continued stakeholder engagement, refinement of monitoring techniques, and adaptive strategies that support broader deployment of distributed fiber-optic sensing technologies in the offshore wind-energy sector.