Field investigation into mooring Load Reduction Device performance in hurricane conditions at an offshore test site

Exploitation of Floating Offshore Wind (FOW) is of particular significance to Europe. To keep the FOW competitive, the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCoE) should keep up with projections for economic viability. Reductions in cost of the mooring system for the Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) is needed to lower LCoE further. Field investigation into an inline 1:4 scale Mechanical Compliance Device (MCD) is hereby presented aimed at reducing LCoE of mooring lines for a FOWT. The MCD (i.e. Dublin Offshore’s Load Reduction Device aka LRD) is not only effective at peak load mitigation in the mooring line but also allows for geometric compliance during operational conditions. The construction of LRD is simple, robust and comprised of easy to source materials.