Optimizing the layout of offshore wind farms

Thanks to its experience engineering offshore wind energy projects, SENER has identified the importance of optimizing the layout in these projects.

The optimization process is even more important as areas with abundant resource grow scarce, and we have to opt for locations in which the arrangement of the wind turbines has a growing influence on energy costs. 

The simulation environments and algorithms used to search for the proper site must be selected based on the number of optimizable variables (wake losses, interconnection, etc.), uncertainty in the available data (weather, oceanic, bathymetry, costs, etc.), the convergence criteria for the algorithm and the reliability of the results, and all this must be done within an acceptable computational time.

The key parameter on which to base the optimization is the cost of energy (LCOE); however, other optimization criteria are possible (annual electrical production (AEP) and the remaining life of critical components that have a direct influence on O&M costs).

At SENER, we are innovating to help transition to an emissions-free energy model.