Investigation of layout optimization for offshore wind farms and a case study for a region in Turkey

Abstract

In this paper, the focus was to develop an optimization tool by using mathematical layout optimization methods applied to increase the energy capacity or reduce the cost of an offshore wind farm. For this purpose, two wind farm layout optimization (WFLO) models were developed using genetic algorithm (GA): model (a) minimizing the cost of power for variable turbine number, model (b) maximizing the power generation for fixed turbine number. Wind speed and wind direction were assumed constant. Therefore, unlike previous studies, smaller grid sizes were used in the models developed in this study, and better-performing layouts were obtained than in the literature. Continuous approach to WFLO guarantees the best result since it evaluates unlimited number of possibilities. However, it complicates the problem as well as brings high computational costs. Therefore, discrete approach was used in this study, and the performance of using finer grids was investigated. As a result, it was observed that the optimum layout may be improved as the grid size got smaller. Following this, developed models within the scope of this study were applied to a high offshore wind potential area in Turkey, and a preliminary wind farm layout design was proposed for this area.