Real-Time Dynamic Layout Optimization for Floating Offshore Wind Farm Control

TL;DR

This paper presents a real-time dynamic layout optimization method for floating offshore wind farms, improving energy production and control by accounting for platform motion and wake effects.

Contribution

It introduces a novel real-time optimization strategy for floating offshore wind farm layouts, integrating dynamic models and control to enhance performance.

Findings

25% increase in energy production with dynamic layout

Effective power set-point tracking achieved

Model predictive control reduces turbulence effects

Abstract

Downstream wind turbines operating behind upstream turbines face significant performance challenges due to reduced wind speeds and increased turbulence. This leads to decreased wind energy production and higher dynamic loads on downwind turbines. Consequently, real-time monitoring and control have become crucial for improving wind farm performance. One promising solution involves optimizing wind farm layouts in real-time, taking advantage of the added flexibility offered by floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs). This study explores a dynamic layout optimization strategy to minimize wake effects in wind farms while meeting power requirements. Two scenarios are considered: power maximization and power set-point tracking. The methodology involves a centralized wind farm controller optimizing the layout, followed by wind turbine controllers to meet the prescribed targets. Each FOWT employs model predictive control to adjust aerodynamic thrust force. The control strategy integrates a dynamic wind farm model that considers floating platform motion and wake transport in changing wind conditions. In a case study with a 1x3 wind farm layout of 5 MW FOWTs, the results show a 25% increase in stable energy production compared to a static layout in one hour for the first scenario. In the second scenario, desired power production was swiftly and consistently achieved.