Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating deterioration of a steel support structure (180) supporting an offshore wind turbine (181). The steel support structure (180) being made of a first type of steel, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first sensor (111) having one or more sensor elements, wherein a first sensor element of the one or more sensor elements is made of a type of steel corresponding to the first type of steel; (b) arranging the first sensor (111) in connection with said steel support structure (180); (c) inducing an electrical current through at least one of the one or more sensor elements; (d) monitoring the deterioration of a part of the first sensor (111) by in a first time interval measuring electrical properties of the first sensor (111) and storing the measurements as first data; (e) estimating the deterioration of the steel support structure (180) from the first data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support system (100) for supporting an offshore wind turbine comprising a steel support structure (180) for supporting the offshore wind turbine and a cathodic protection system (101-105) configured to protect the steel support structure from corrosion. The cathodic protection system comprising one or more galvanic anodes (101) arranged in connection with the steel support structure and a first electrical connection (102) electrically connecting the one or more galvanic anodes to the steel support structure. This allows the steel support structure to be polarized by the electrons flowing from the one or more galvanic anodes to the steel support structure. The first electrical connection is an adaptable electrical connection that can change the rate of electrons flowing from the one or more galvanic anodes to the steel support structure and thereby change the polarization of the steel support structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating deterioration of a steel support structure (180) supporting an offshore wind turbine (181). The steel support structure (180) being made of a first type of steel, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first sensor (111) having one or more sensor elements, wherein a first sensor element of the one or more sensor elements is made of a type of steel corresponding to the first type of steel; (b) arranging the first sensor (111) in connection with said steel support structure (180); (c) inducing an electrical current through at least one of the one or more sensor elements; (d) monitoring the deterioration of a part of the first sensor (111) by in a first time interval measuring electrical properties of the first sensor (111) and storing the measurements as first data; (e) estimating the deterioration of the steel support structure (180) from the first data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support system (100) for supporting an offshore wind turbine comprising a steel support structure (180) for supporting the offshore wind turbine and a cathodic protection system (101-105) configured to protect the steel support structure from corrosion. The cathodic protection system comprising one or more galvanic anodes (101) arranged in connection with the steel support structure and a first electrical connection (102) electrically connecting the one or more galvanic anodes to the steel support structure. This allows the steel support structure to be polarized by the electrons flowing from the one or more galvanic anodes to the steel support structure. The first electrical connection is an adaptable electrical connection that can change the rate of electrons flowing from the one or more galvanic anodes to the steel support structure and thereby change the polarization of the steel support structure.