A multi-criteria decision making method to compare support structures for offshore wind turbines

Evolution of wind energy during the last decade has made wind power production one of the most promising options towards meeting the 2020 EU targets for clean energy. In order to achieve this goal, wind turbine design, manufacturing and installation should be optimized economically, increasing further the potential of this technology. Currently wind turbines have been deployed in shallow and mid-depth waters using different types of fixed structures, however due to the higher energy yield further offshore, there is considerable interest in the development of floating support structures incorporating several advantages over fixed alternatives. Selection of the proper type of support structure is a key factor in lowering the CAPEX of the investment. This paper aims to provide a systematic methodology for classification and evaluation of the different available offshore wind turbine support structure options based on the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method of operational research.