Energies, Vol. 15, Pages 809: Layout Optimization of a Modular Floating Wind Farm Based on the Full-Field Wake Model (Energies)

By optimizing the positions of wind turbines in a wind farm, the power loss caused by wake effects can be reduced maximally. A new methodology of layout optimization is proposed utilizing a full-field wake model that integrates the near-field and far-field wake models after modifications, and a random search (RS) algorithm improved with a scale factor for acceleration in high-density layouts. The methodology is applied to a floating wind farm composed of modular platforms, which have a novel configuration and the ability to face toward the wind direction. The applicability and efficiency of the methodology and the improved RS algorithm are validated. The power production of optimized layouts shows a flat crest with an increased number of wind turbines. There is a layout with maximal output power in the wind farm. The real optimal layout should be determined in consideration of both output power and cost. Two sizes of platforms with different number of modules are compared in the application. The wind farm with smaller platforms produces more power. For comparison, a pattern search (PS) algorithm is also implemented in the application. The improved RS algorithm shows outperformance compared with the original RS and the PS algorithm.