Abstract
A state-of-the-art review of the optimization of electrical cables in offshore wind farms (OWFs) is presented in this paper. One of the main contributions of this paper is to propose a general classification of this problem, framed in the general context of the OWFs design and optimization (OWiFDO). The classification encompasses two complementary aspects. First, the optimum sizing of electrical cables, with the three main approaches used nowadays, static-rated sizing, dynamic load cycle profile, and dynamic full time series, is conceptually analyzed and compared. The latest techniques and advances are described, along with the presentation of potential research areas not thoroughly addressed today, such as dynamic cable rating, and cable’s lifetime estimation under time-varying conditions. Second, the network optimization of large OWFs is thoroughly presented, dividing the problem with a bottom–top approach: cable layout of the collection system, wind turbines (WTs) allocation to offshore substations (OSSs), number and location of OSSs, and interconnection between OSSs and onshore connection points (OCPs). A comparison among different methods is performed, taking into consideration the main engineering constraints. Global optimization, specifically, binary programming (BIP) or mixed-integer linear programming (MILP), is envisaged as the best way to tackle this topic. The full combinatorial problem is found to be better addressed following a top–bottom approach, combining exact formulations with high-level heuristics, or holistically with evolutionary algorithms.
Highlights
Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs) represent one of the fastest and most steadily growing types of renewable energy technologies for electricity generation
One of the main drivers for cost reduction is the economies of scale, which has been evident in the OWF industry by the accelerated increase of Wind Turbines (WTs) individual power, and the scaled up of the total installed capacity of state-of-the-start OWFs
Side effect the increase of complexity for designing efficient and cost-effective infrastructure, such as the electrical systems, given that: i) the WTs are larger in power and number, being less uniformly scattered around the project area, ii) the Offshore Substations (OSSs) are built farther away from the Onshore Connection Point (OCP), increasing the export systems transmission length, and iii) more stiff, complete and complex requirements from the Transmission Systems Operators (TSOs) to the OWFs for providing auxiliary services are demanded
Summary
Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs) represent one of the fastest and most steadily growing types of renewable energy technologies for electricity generation. By comparing the previous numbers with the largest OWFs under operation nowadays (see Table 1), the accelerated growth of the industry in a rather short time is becoming obvious, with total installed powers in the order of hundreds of MW, export route lengths close to 100 km, and maximum water depths across the projects’ area of almost 40 m The escalation of those parameters means that some factors become more relevant and complex to handle, such as the electrical infrastructure, due to the increased investment, complexity in the designs, and the requirement for new technologies able to withstand such new environmental and operating conditions. Special attention is given to this topic as it has been addressed more intensively in the scientific papers; Section II deals with these aspects
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