Layout optimization of a wind farm considering grids of various resolutions, wake effect, and realistic wind speed and wind direction data: A techno-economic assessment

Abstract

This study investigates the wind farm layout optimization problem utilizing realistic wind speed and wind direction data with 10 min time interval instead of using hypothetical wind scenarios. The PARK method, Genetic Algorithm, and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) were considered as the wake model, optimization method, and objective function, respectively. Optimal layouts for the wind farm were found by considering 36 Cartesian wind farm grids of different resolutions. After finding the optimal layout, an economic analysis was performed to investigate the impacts of governmental incentives on viability of the optimized wind farm. Among the 36 optimal layouts, the one with 10 turbines optimally located in 9 × 8 grid has the lowest LCOE of 19.5 Cent/kWh. Moreover, optimal arrangements for any number of turbines in the range of 5–25 were found. Results showed that providing 50–100% of the initial investment by a 20-year interest-free loan can reduce the LCOE by 19.3–38.5%. To achieve a 10 year of payback period, the guaranteed purchase tariff must reach 15.8 Cent/kWh when incentives including an interest-free loan equal to 50% of the initial investment, land rental price of 2000 $/hectare, and tax rebate of 12 $/MWh are simultaneously implemented.