A research team led by former Kunsan National University President Lee Jang-ho has achieved approval for publication of their decade-long study on offshore wind power's suction bucket substructure technology in Ocean Engineering, the world's highest-authority academic journal in marine engineering.
Published by Elsevier, this journal ranks first globally in both marine and offshore engineering fields and carries a citation index of 6.3. The paper received strong editorial encouragement and underwent rigorous peer review by leading experts in the field before final approval.
How the suction bucket method works
The suction bucket method developed by the research team differs fundamentally from conventional pile driving, which uses massive hammers to strike the seabed. Instead, it uses pressure differentials to gently settle structures onto soft seabed ground, representing an innovative approach.
This method dramatically reduces underwater noise and vibration, minimizing damage to fish stocks and fishing grounds while earning recognition as an environmentally friendly technique that allows coexistence with local fishing communities. Installation time is shortened by more than tenfold compared to conventional methods, and when structures reach the end of their service life, they can be cleanly recovered and relocated to other sea areas without cutting or damaging underwater infrastructure.
Pentapod design and practical results
The core technology, the pentapod five-point suction bucket, arranges the substructure in a regular pentagon shape, significantly reducing the depth of penetration into the seabed. This cuts material costs by more than 30 percent compared to existing structures and substantially expands the installation range for offshore wind turbines to shallow coastal waters.
The original technology holds a US registered patent (US 12,606,974 B2) and has been physically constructed and installed at the offshore demonstration research complex north of Maldo in the Gogunsan Islands, where it has operated successfully for years and proven structural safety.
The paper approved for publication is based on multi-year field-accumulated empirical data and precisely identifies the complex mechanical interaction between seabed ground and structures through a three-dimensional multi-spring numerical analysis model. The research combines field-proven technical capability with quantitative and precise theoretical analysis systems recognized by the global academic community, elevating the technology to world-class completion standards.
This research outcome, which achieves coexistence with fishing communities, shortened construction periods, and reduced material and construction costs, is expected to provide substantial and powerful momentum for the offshore wind industry ecosystem being developed in the Gunsan and Saemangeum national industrial complex areas. The research team notes that this is anticipated to be a decisive turning point for the region's emergence as a global offshore wind industry hub.
Original Korean article: Pressian
English brief by Korea Wind Intelligence, koreawindintel.com
