Digital twin-driven dynamic repositioning of floating offshore wind farms

Abstract

This paper presents a novel approach to optimize wind farm layout during operation based on digital twin and dynamic repositioning. The technology offers a possibility to increase the total energy production of floating wind farms by minimizing the wake effect. We assume each of the individual wind turbine is completed with a propulsion system and is allowed to reposition itself anywhere in the restricted domain. The simulations are performed in a digital twin platform based on Unity 3D, where wind speed and direction are used as inputs for the digital twin. Furthermore, Jensen’s wake model is implemented to model the dynamic behaviour of the wind. To find an optimal position for all individual wind turbines, two methods are proposed. The first method is based on reactive control, while the second method is based on optimal control. The possible energy gains of dynamic repositioning with real-life scenarios are assessed to show the feasibility of the proposed method.