Inter-farm wake effect on layout optimization: Case study of standardized two-phase wind farms

Due to the limited availability of suitable sites, wind farms are now being constructed closer to each other or in phases, highlighting the importance of understanding the wake effects between adjacent farms. To address this, a study case is standardized from two adjacent wind farms, Rønland I and II. The standardized case incorporates variations in spatial and scale factors of wind farms. To investigate the wake effects between wind farms, this study is conducted under the inflow of a single directional sector of 30 degrees. When inter-farm spacing increases, the distribution of potential power undergoes a transition from a non-uniform stripe pattern to a gradient pattern, ultimately approaching a uniform pattern. The pattern of power potential appropriately explains the different trends of optimized layouts. Moreover, a 95% unwaked potential power region (UPPR) is defined and enclosed by the contour line of 95% of power potential without wake effects. The optimized layouts demonstrate different patterns depending on the proportion of downstream wind farms shaded by 95% UPPR. When the 95% UPPR predominantly covers the design region, wind turbines tend to concentrate near the downwind edge. As the region moves further away, the layout transitions to a double-column staggered distribution. • A standardized two-phase wind farm is established based on the generalization of Rønland I and II wind farms. • Layout of the Phase II wind farm is optimized while the Phase I wind farm is fixed. • Distribution of potential power changes from striped to gradient, ultimately being uniform when inter-farm spacing increases. • Optimal layouts of the downstream wind farm are strongly affected by the proportion shaded by the 95 % UPPR. • Wind turbines tend to concentrate near downwind edge for regions covered by 95 % UPPR and be regularly staggered otherwise.