Design optimization of floating offshore wind farms using a steady state movement and flow model

Abstract In this study, we demonstrate how to carry out the design optimization of floating offshore wind farms by considering the impacts brought by the movements of the floating wind turbines. A steady state movement and flow model is applied in the modelling process. This model is developed by building a turbine surrogate model for estimating the steady state movement and power production of floating wind turbines and incorporating it in an open-source static wind farm simulator, PyWake. Using this modelling methodology, layout optimization problems of floating offshore wind farms are solved by using algorithms like Random Search to maximize the energy yield while satisfying certain constraints. Case studies are carried out for two wind farms with met-ocean conditions from a real planned site in Scottland to show the potential of layout optimization for floating wind farms.