Optimization of Wind Turbine Placement in Offshore Wind Farms

Abstract

In this paper, a Genetic Algorithm is used to find optimized spatial configurations of wind turbines in offshore or flat terrain wind farms. The optimization is made by obtaining maximizing power output per unit cost. A wake model which permits the calculation of single wakes, multiple wakes and wake interactions is employed to estimate wind speeds at each turbine for a given external wind distribution function and a given spatial configuration. The optimization is applied to cases of unidirectional wind, variable direction winds and variable wind speed. The placement of a turbine can be set at any location following the approach of Mittal et al. Results are obtained for different spacing limits between turbines and wind farms of different sizes. The results for some patterns of optimized placements of wind turbines are discussed in the context of the wind distributions and the wake model employed.