Flexcom Wind is Wood's dedicated simulator package for offshore wind turbines. Guided by an independent technical advisory group, real-world feedback from key players in the offshore wind industry has helped to shape this new software product. Our design philosophy is based on the provision of advanced computational techniques to provide confidence in the engineering design, coupled with a user-friendly interface which facilitates optimum productivity.

State-of-the-art aerodynamic modelling is delivered via a fully-integrated coupling with the industry-recognised OpenFAST software. Structural modelling accuracy is ensured by Flexcom's industry-proven finite element formulation. The software has been fully validated using benchmarking exercises with other industry leading software. Flexcom Wind comes at an affordable cost structure and very flexible licensing options.

Benefits of using Flexcom Wind

•Confidence: State-of-the-art aerodynamic and structural models delivered via a fully-integrated coupling between Flexcom and OpenFAST. Technical papers validating the numerical solution have been published at industry conferences including IOWTC, ISOPE & SPE Offshore Europe.

•One stop solution: Global assessment of floating platform, tower & turbine, mooring system and dynamic power cable. Suitable for all stages of device design, from conceptual prototypes right through to full scale versions.

•Quality assurance: Mathematical equations are fully supported within Flexcom, allowing users to develop and validate template models, streamlining the QA process

•Advanced visualisation: Powerful visual aids such as colour contouring of stresses provide the user with an intuitive visual representation of engineering data

•Trust and reliability: Backed up by Wood's renowned software support service. World leading consultancy services also available through our wider Wood capability

•Cost effective solution: Affordable cost structure and very flexible licensing options. Plus our user interface does not require a licence, maximising the number of licences available for numerical simulation.

User EXPERIENCE

•'Engineering tool' design philosophy and intuitive user interface facilitates quick and easy software familiarisation

•Detailed models may be created quickly and easily, allowing the user to concentrate on the engineering design

•Productivity-enhancing features including highly automated analyses with multiple load cases and automatic results generation

•Streamlined post-processing presents the designer with key structural outputs such as platform motions, mooring line tensions & anchor loads, nacelle accelerations and tower bending moments, plus all the standard aerodynamic parameters such as generator power, rotor speed and blade pitch.

•Enhanced visualisation of engineering data such as stress contouring and 3D surface plotting

•Direct interface to Microsoft Excel, with optional access to VBA code which enables power users to develop specialised post-processing tools

•Dedicated video creation studio which allows users to create customised videos of models and showcase innovative engineering designs. Creation of fully immersive virtual reality experience available as an optional add-on.

Further Information

•Wind Turbine Modelling presents an overview of the underlying theory and discusses the software architecture connecting the structural (Flexcom) and aerodynamic (OpenFAST) models.

•Project View provides detailed information about the user interface for the Flexcom Wind module.

•Migrate to Flexcom explores the option of using the Flexcom Wind module for initial model construction, and the mainstream Flexcom environment for model refinement and dynamic simulation, as this offers greater modelling flexibility.