scholarly journals A Framework for the Selection of Optimum Offshore Wind Farm Locations for Deployment

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varvara Mytilinou ◽  
Estivaliz Lozano-Minguez ◽  
Athanasios Kolios
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Optimization Techniques ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Moray Firth ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Given ◽  
Nondominated Sorting

This research develops a framework to assist wind energy developers to select the optimum deployment site of a wind farm by considering the Round 3 available zones in the UK. The framework includes optimization techniques, decision-making methods and experts’ input in order to support investment decisions. Further, techno-economic evaluation, life cycle costing (LCC) and physical aspects for each location are considered along with experts’ opinions to provide deeper insight into the decision-making process. A process on the criteria selection is also presented and seven conflicting criteria are being considered for implementation in the technique for the order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) method in order to suggest the optimum location that was produced by the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGAII). For the given inputs, Seagreen Alpha, near the Isle of May, was found to be the most probable solution, followed by Moray Firth Eastern Development Area 1, near Wick, which demonstrates by example the effectiveness of the newly introduced framework that is also transferable and generic. The outcomes are expected to help stakeholders and decision makers to make better informed and cost-effective decisions under uncertainty when investing in offshore wind energy in the UK.

scholarly journals A Framework to Select Optimum Offshore Wind Farm Locations for Deployment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varvara Mytilinou ◽  
Athanasios Kolios
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Moray Firth ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Economic Life Cycle

This research proposes a framework to assist wind energy developers to select the optimum deployment site of a wind farm by considering the Round 3 zones in the UK. The framework includes optimisation techniques, decision-making methods and experts’ input in order to help stakeholders with investment decisions. Techno-economic, Life Cycle Costs (LCC) and physical aspects for each location are considered along with experts’ opinions to provide deeper insight into the decision making process. A process on the criteria selections is also presented and seven conflicting criteria are being considered in TOPSIS methods in order to suggest the optimum location that was produced by the NSGAII algorithm. Seagreen Alpha was the most probable solution, followed by Moray Firth Eastern Development Area 1, which demonstrates by example the effectiveness of the newly introduced framework that is also transferable and generic. The outcomes are expected to help stakeholders and decision makers to make more informed and cost-effective decisions under uncertainty when investing in offshore wind energy in the UK.

Layout optimization for a large offshore wind farm using Genetic Algorithm

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Narender Reddy ◽  
S Baidya Roy
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Layout Optimization ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Previous Generation ◽  
Large Wind

<p>Wind Farm Layout Optimization Problem (WFLOP) is an important issue to be addressed when installing a large wind farm. Many studies have focused on the WFLOP but only for a limited number of turbines (10 – 100 turbines) and idealized wind speed distributions. In this study, we apply the Genetic Algorithm (GA) to solve the WFLOP for large wind farms using real wind data.</p><p>The study site is the Palk Strait located between India and Sri Lanka. This site is considered to be one of the two potential hotspots of offshore wind in India. An interesting feature of the site is that the winds here are dominated by two major monsoons: southwesterly summer monsoon (June-September) and northeasterly winter monsoon (November to January). As a consequence, the wind directions do not drastically change, unlike other sites which can have winds distributed over 360<sup>o</sup>. This allowed us to design a wind farm with a 5D X 3D spacing, where 5D is in the dominant wind direction and 3D is in the transverse direction (D- rotor diameter of the turbine - 150 m in this study).</p><p>Jensen wake model is used to calculate the wake losses. The optimization of the layout using GA involves building a population of layouts at each generation. This population consists of, the best layouts of the previous generation, crossovers or offspring from the best layouts of the previous generation and few mutated layouts. The best layout at each generation is assessed using the fitness or objective functions that consist of annual power production by the layout, cost incurred by layout per unit power produced, and the efficiency of the layout. GA mimics the natural selection process observed in nature, which can be summarised as survival of the fittest. At each generation, the layouts performing the best would enter the next generation where a new population is created from the best performing layouts.</p><p>GA is used to produce 3 different optimal layouts as described below. Results show that:</p><p>A ~5GW layout – has 738 turbines, producing 2.37 GW of power at an efficiency of 0.79</p><p>Layout along the coast – has 1091 turbines, producing 3.665 GW of power at an efficiency of 0.82.</p><p>Layout for the total area – has 2612 turbines, producing 7.82 GW of power at an efficiency of 0.74.</p><p>Thus, placing the turbines along the coast is more efficient as it makes the maximum use of the available wind energy and it would be cost-effective as well by placing the turbines closer to the shores.</p><p>Wind energy is growing at an unprecedented rate in India. Easily accessible terrestrial resources are almost saturated and offshore is the new frontier. This study can play an important role in the offshore expansion of renewables in India.</p>

scholarly journals Vindby—A Serious Offshore Wind Farm Design Game

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Dornhelm ◽  
Helene Seyr ◽  
Michael Muskulus
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Energy ◽  
Offshore Wind Farm ◽  
Wind Farm Design ◽  
Farm Design

To maintain the increasing interest and development in offshore wind energy, novel training tools for engineers and researchers are needed. Concurrently, educational outreach activities are in demand to inform the public about the importance of offshore wind energy. In this paper, the development of a serious game about the design and management of offshore wind farms is presented to address such demands. Such a serious game may enable a new audience to explore the field of offshore wind as well as provide researchers entering the field a better understanding of the intricacies of the industry. This requires a simulation that is realistic but also effective in teaching information and engaging outreach. Ultimately, increased public support and expanded training tools are desired to improve decision-making and to provide opportunities to test and integrate innovative solutions. The work presented here includes the game design and implementation of a prototype game. The game design involves building a game framework and developing a simplified simulation. This simulation addresses weather prediction, offshore wind farm design, operation and maintenance, energy demand, climate change, and finance. Playtesting of the prototype demonstrated immersion and informed decision-making of the players and surveys revealed that knowledge had increased while playing the game. Recommendations for future versions of the game are listed.

Wind energy

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill Leithead
Keyword(s):  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Power Converter ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Renewable Sources ◽  
Near Term ◽  
The Uk

A wind turbine or even a wind farm, i.e. a group of wind turbines, is becoming an increasingly familiar sight in the countryside today. The wind turbine converts the power in the wind to electrical power and consists of a tower, rotor, typically with three blades as in Fig. 5.1, and a nacelle containing the power converter. From its rebirth in the early 1980s, wind power has experienced a dramatic development. Today, other than hydropower, it is the most important of the renewable sources of power. With an installed capacity equivalent to that required to provide electricity for over 19,000,000 average European homes and annual turnover greater than £5,500,000,000, wind energy has exceeded its year-on-year targets over the last decade. This growth in the contribution to electricity generation from wind power in Europe is likely to continue over the next few years, since the EU Commission has set a European target for 2010 of 12% of electricity generation from renewable sources. In the long term, the achievable limit to the contribution of wind power is estimated to be30%of the total European demand, an amount almost equal to the installed nuclear capacity. In the UK, wind power is the fastest growing energy sector. Over 4,000 people are employed by companies working in the wind sector , and it is estimated by the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that the next round of offshore wind development could generate a further 20,000 jobs. In a 2003 Energy White Paper, the UK government aspired to achieving a 60% reduction in UK CO2 emissions by 2050. In order to do so, it has set targets for UK electricity generation from renewable sources of 10% of electricity demand by 2010 and20% by 2015. Since it is the most mature of the renewable energies, much of these near term targets must be met by wind power . Irrespective of whether these targets are achieved, the potential for increase in the UK is substantial. The prospects for wind power development in the UK are dependent on the available wind resource, public acceptance, and technical development. Each of these issues is discussed below.

Offshore Wind Farm Construction: Easier, Safer and More Cost Effective

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Eijssen
Keyword(s):  
Wind Energy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Steel Wire ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Synthetic Fiber ◽  
Uhmwpe Fiber ◽  
Load Bearing

Converting wind energy into a useful form of energy is one of the fastest growing alternative sources of energy in the present and foreseeable future. At the end of 2009, worldwide nameplate capacity of wind-powered generators was 159 gigawatts (GW). Energy production at onshore, near shore and offshore locations was 340 TWh, which is about 2% of worldwide electricity usage, and has doubled in the past three years and will continue to grow substantially. This growth comprises not only more wind farms, but wind mills with more capacity as well [1–3]. To achieve this growth, (heavy) lift companies and offshore contractors meet various challenges. Since primary cost for producing wind energy is construction, with up to 10 lifts per wind mill, a very competitive environment has been created in which efficient logistic and lifting operations, flexibility, avoiding damage to loads and safety are paramount [4,5]. Appropriate lifting gear provides an essential tool to meet these challenges; especially at offshore locations. Currently, steel wire ropes and grommets are extensively being used as lifting gear during the construction of wind farms, with its low cost being the key driver. But its weight together with the risk for damage to loads and injuries to operators are serious concerns. Synthetic slings, especially those made from polyester fiber, have gained popularity as a way to overcome these concerns. But, such slings are very sensitive to damage, hence its value and risk-avoidance is more and more being questioned; especially considering currently applicable legislation such as the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC [6]. With the introduction of high performance fibers, such as Dyneema® (Ultra-High Molecular Polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber), not “just another synthetic fiber” has been introduced. The use of this UHMwPE fiber in protective sleeves and load bearing constructions holds the characteristics to overcome the concerns of the traditional materials as it has been proven by well-respected lifting companies. Since durability of a synthetic sling is largely determined by the performance of the protective sleeves, this paper comprehensively presents the abrasion, cut and tear resistance improvement created by sleeves made with fibers such as Dyneema®. In combination with its functionality in load bearing constructions and the key elements of the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, this paper proves that Ultralift® roundslings made with Dyneema® provide not only safer and easier but also more cost effective construction (logistics and lifting) operations. So, slings made with Dyneema® have been entrusted to meet the lifting challenges of today and tomorrow.

Optimization of O&M for Offshore Wind Farms Modelling for WMTC Conferences

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Nivet ◽  
Ema Muk-Pavic
Keyword(s):  
Wind Farm ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Offshore Wind Farms ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Operation Analysis ◽  
Cost Effective Approach ◽  
Failure Evaluation

Offshore wind energy is one of the most upcoming sources of energy, and it is already partially replacing the fossil fuelled power production. However, offshore wind turbine technology is also associated with harsher weather environment. Indeed, it experiences more challenging wind and wave conditions, which in turn limits the vessels capabilities to access the wind farms. Additionally, with the constant rise of power utilization, improvements in the Operation Maintenance (O&M) planning are crucial for the development of large isolated offshore wind farms. Improvements in the planning of the O&M for offshore wind farms could lead to considerable reduction in costs. For this reason, the interest of this research paper is the investigation of the most cost effective approach to offshore turbine maintenance strategies. This objective is achieved by implementing a simulation approach that includes a climate conditions analysis, an operation analysis, a failure evaluation and a simulation of the repairs. This paper points out how different O&M strategies can influence the sustainability of a wind farm.

Community Benefits and UK Offshore Wind Farms: Evolving Convergence in a Divergent Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 2150001
Author(s):  
John Glasson
Keyword(s):  
Wind Farm ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Host Community ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Energy Industry ◽  
Offshore Wind Farms ◽  
Onshore Wind ◽  
Community Benefits ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Renewable Energy Industry

The Offshore Wind sector is a major, dynamic, and rapidly evolving renewable energy industry. This is particularly so in Europe, and especially in the UK. Associated with the growth of the industry has been a growth of interest in community benefits as voluntary measures provided by a developer to the host community. However, in many cases, and for some of the large North Sea distant offshore wind farms, the benefits packages have been disparate and pro rata much smaller than for the well-established onshore wind farm industry. However, there are signs of change. This paper explores the issues of community benefits for the UK offshore sector and evolving practice, as reflected in a macro study of the adoption of community benefits approaches across the industry. This is followed by a more in-depth micro- approach, which explores approaches that have been adopted in three case studies of recent OWF projects — Aberdeen, Beatrice and the Hornsea Array. Whilst there is still much divergence in practice, there are also examples of some convergence, and the development of a more replicable practice. Particularly notable is the adoption of annual community benefits funds, as the key element of community benefits schemes/agreements between developers, local authorities and local communities.

scholarly journals Offshore wind energy – South Africa’s untapped resource

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 26-42
Author(s):  
Gordon Rae ◽  
Gareth Erfort
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
South African ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Energy ◽  
Multi Criteria Evaluation

In the context of the Anthropocene, the decoupling of carbon emissions from electricity generation is critical. South Africa has an ageing coal power fleet, which will gradually be decommissioned over the next 30 years. This creates substantial opportunity for a just transition towards a future energy mix with a high renewable energy penetration. Offshore wind technology is a clean electricity generation alternative that presents great power security and decarbonisation opportunity for South Africa. This study estimated the offshore wind energy resource available within South Africa’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), using a geographic information system methodology. The available resource was estimated under four developmental scenarios. This study revealed that South Africa has an annual offshore wind energy production potential of 44.52 TWh at ocean depths of less than 50 m (Scenario 1) and 2 387.08 TWh at depths less than 1 000 m (Scenario 2). Furthermore, a GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation was conducted to determine the most suitable locations for offshore wind farm development within the South African EEZ. The following suitable offshore wind development regions were identified: Richards Bay, KwaDukuza, Durban, and Struis Bay. Based on South Africa’s annual electricity consumption of 297.8 TWh in 2018, OWE could theoretically supply approximately 15% and 800% of South Africa’s annual electricity demand with offshore wind development Scenario 1 and 2 respectively.

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