Wind energy researcher Mojgan’s first paper is published in Frontiers in Energy Research

Congratulations to Mojgan Samiei, who has published her first research paper, “Architecture-informed O&M modelling of modular X-Rotor configurations for offshore wind: a two- and three-module comparison”.

Published in Frontiers in Energy Research and co-authored with her academic supervisor Professor James Carroll, The paper examines how extending the X-Rotor offshore wind turbine from two power-generating modules to three could affect its operation and maintenance performance, while maintaining the same overall turbine capacity of approximately 5 MW.

Wind farms located further offshore can be more difficult and costly to maintain because access is increasingly restricted by weather conditions and vessel logistics become more complex. Using a 5-MW turbine located 100 kilometres offshore as its baseline scenario, the study compares the established two-module X-Rotor with a three-module configuration and a conventional three-stage geared offshore wind turbine.

The modelling found that adding a third module increased the overall failure rate because the turbine contained more components. However, spreading power generation across three modules reduced the effect of an individual module failure: instead of losing half of its generating capacity, the turbine would lose approximately one-third. In the base-case scenario, the three-module design therefore retained an operation and maintenance cost advantage over the conventional geared turbine, although its costs remained higher than those of the two-module X-Rotor.

The paper concludes that this potential advantage depends on factors including component reliability, access for modular replacement, the turbine’s ability to continue operating at reduced capacity and the maturity of the bearing design. The findings are a comparative assessment based on adapted reliability data, modelling and engineering assumptions, rather than a direct prediction of performance in the field.