Optimization of Large Offshore Wind Farms Implementation

Abstract

Presently, electricity production from wind energy contributes significantly to the energetic mix of some countries, being this type of renewable energy the most frequently implanted worldwide. At the end of 2015, the global total installed wind power was 432,419 MW, of which 11,551 MW were generated by offshore wind farms (GWEC, Global wind statistics 2015. Global Wind Energy Council, 2016). That year, 96 offshore wind farms were operating, 18 were under construction and dozens of facilities were approved. Furthermore, not only the number of offshore facilities is increasing, but their power capacity is increasing too. This situation demands the best orientation of the wind turbines alignment, so the wake effect produced in the rotors is reduced to avoid production losses. The aim of this work is to define criteria for the optimization of large offshore wind farms implementation in their design phase, based on geometrical arrangement of the wind turbines, so the wake effects are reduced to a minimum and, therefore, the electric power generation is maximized.