Offshore Wind Energy Conversion System Connected to a Floating Production Storage and Offloading Unit: Electrical Aspects

This article evaluates the technical feasibility of integrating an offshore Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) into a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit, along with proposing a system-wide operation strategy. The WECS system is based on commercial 10 MW wind turbines with a direct-drive permanent magnet synchronous generator and a full-scale power converter. The study primarily focuses on the electrical aspects of this integration, including: (i) WECS operation modes in steady-state and transients; (ii) Frequency and voltage control support; and (iii) Assessment of CO₂ emissions reduction in the FPSO. Each component of the system is modeled and evaluated through simulations under different modes. Two locations for the WECS are assessed: one at 10 km from the FPSO and another closer to the Brazilian mainland, at 150 km from the FPSO. Both cases assume an alternating current transmission system and utilize a subsea umbilical cable. The results demonstrate the feasibility of integrating the WECS into a FPSO, resulting in a reduction in total CO₂ emissions and providing low and high voltage ride-through capabilities.