Wind Plant Layout Optimization with Wake Effect Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind plant design methodologies fail to maximize annual energy production by not considering unique wind conditions experienced by individual turbines, as they treat the plant as a single unit rather than a cluster of turbines with varying wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method that assesses wind conditions at each turbine location, accounting for wake effects from other turbines, to determine optimal hub heights and configurations that minimize wake loss and enhance power output, allowing for tailored turbine characteristics based on actual wind conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional wind plant design methodologies treat the plant as a single unit with uniform wind conditions, then the design process is simplified, but annual energy production is not maximized because unique wind conditions at individual turbine locations are ignored
Solution Approach 1:
The wind plant is segmented into multiple individual turbine locations, each analyzed separately for its unique wind conditions. The site is divided into discrete zones with distinct wind resource characteristics, allowing customized turbine configuration for each location rather than applying a uniform design across the entire plant.
Solution Approach 2:
Each turbine location is assigned local wind condition characteristics specific to its geographic position within the plant. Hub heights, turbine types, and configurations are optimized locally based on the actual wind speed, direction, and turbulence patterns at each specific location, rather than using average plant-wide conditions.
2Productivity
If individual turbine characteristics are tailored to specific wind conditions at each location, then power output is increased, but the design and analysis process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Wind condition assessments and wake effect calculations are performed in advance for each potential turbine location before final turbine selection and placement. This preliminary analysis establishes the wind resource database and identifies optimal hub heights and configurations, simplifying the subsequent turbine selection process.
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized turbine models and configuration options are developed based on optimal designs for different wind condition categories. Once optimal configurations are determined for specific wind regimes, these designs can be replicated across multiple locations with similar wind characteristics, reducing overall design complexity.
3Productivity
If wake effects from cumulative turbine placement are considered in determining actual wind conditions, then individual turbine power output is optimized, but additional computational analysis is required
Solution Approach 1:
Wake effect calculations and actual wind condition predictions are performed during the initial site assessment phase, before turbine placement is finalized. By calculating wake impacts in advance for different turbine configurations and locations, the methodology avoids iterative recalculations during the design process.
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis uses simplified wake effect models that rely on key parameters such as turbine spacing, hub height differences, and prevailing wind directions. By focusing on these dominant parameters rather than performing full computational fluid dynamics simulations, the methodology achieves adequate accuracy with reduced computational effort.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach increases individual turbine power output by optimizing hub heights and configurations, leading to enhanced annual energy production and more efficient wind plant operation.
Implementation Method 1
predicting actual wind conditions at the possible locations in the region identified for placement of wind turbines by modeling the wind state with wake effects at the respective locations, the wake effects resulting from cumulative placement of other wind turbines
Data Source
AI summary
The layout and configuration of wind turbines in a wind power plant includes identifying constraints of a power plant site and defining at least one region in the site for placement of a plurality of wind turbines. The wind state at the region in the site is determined. An actual wind condition at the various possible wind turbine locations within the site is determined by modeling the wind state with wake effects at the respective wind turbine locations. Individual wind turbine configuration and location within the region is then selected as a function of the actual wind conditions each of the individual wind turbine locations to optimize power output of the individual wind turbines. The selection of turbine configuration includes selection of a turbine hub height that minimizes wake loss of the individual wind turbines as a function of the actual wind conditions predicted for the turbine location.