Wireless project to advance offshore wind turbine design under realistic conditions
A new research initiative, the Wireless project, has been launched to support the offshore wind sector in addressing the growing challenge of wave-induced resonance in next-generation turbines.
As turbines continue to increase in size—reaching capacities of 15 MW and beyond—their structural behaviour is changing significantly. Larger and more flexible monopile-based foundations are becoming more susceptible to resonance effects. Earlier turbines experienced resonance mainly outside energetic sea states, whereas modern turbines are exposed to resonance both during operation and storms.. This shift means that resonance may increasingly influence both operational performance and structural integrity.
The Wireless project brings together a strong consortium of industry partners, including MARIN, Siemens Energy, Van Oord, Vattenfall and JBO Engineering Group, combining expertise in hydrodynamics, engineering and offshore operations. The project aims to bridge a recognised gap between current design practice and real-world conditions. Existing standards offer limited guidance on resonance under complex sea states, often forcing engineers to rely on simplified assumptions or conservative margins. Building on earlier initiatives such as WIFI and Runwave, Wireless extends the scope to larger turbines and more representative environmental scenarios.
Central to the project is the development of a comprehensive dataset capturing the response of large-scale offshore wind turbines under realistic wave and operational conditions. Through advanced laboratory testing and detailed numerical modelling, the project will strengthen confidence in prediction tools used across the sector.
The results are expected to strengthen confidence in numerical models used by industry, while providing new insight into fatigue loading and structural response under resonant conditions. Although the project does not seek to establish new design standards, it will offer valuable guidance on current modelling approaches and highlight priorities for future research and engineering practice. With offshore wind expanding into increasingly challenging environments, initiatives such as Wireless are essential to ensure both reliability and cost-effectiveness in future turbine design.
