Real-time dynamic layout optimization for floating offshore wind farm control

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. Three scenarios are considered: power maximization involving two different wind farm configurations 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 1 h for the first scenario. In the second scenario, desired power production was swiftly and consistently achieved. The final scenario demonstrates the control strategy’s adaptability to various wind farm layouts.