Evaluation of electric power losses in wind farms considering temperature-dependent power flow

In this paper an investigation on energy losses calculations in underground cable systems of onshore wind farms is performed by taking into consideration the cable resistance temperature-dependency. Two temperature-dependent power flow models have been developed on the basis of the IEC 60287 and the IEC 60853 electrothermal modelling approaches. Quasi-static simulations are conducted over an one year horizon of operation of two real-world onshore wind farms by using the two temperature-dependent models, as well as conventional power flow analysis, where the cable resistances are assumed constant; significant differences are obtained under specific cases. The potential reduction in annual losses is also quantified in monetary terms. The impact of several important parameters on the estimation of the wind farm power losses is investigated; these include the soil thermal resistivity and diffusivity as well as the ambient temperature. The findings of this study serve as a valuable resource for wind farms owners, helping to evaluate the efficiency and profitability of their investment.