Performance optimization of a wind turbine column for different incoming wind turbulence

• Published in: Renewable energy 2018-02, Vol.116, p.232-243
• Main Authors: Santhanagopalan, V., Rotea, M.A., Iungo, G.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dynamic programming; RANS; Wind energy; Wind farm; Wind turbine
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2017.05.046

Optimization of the performance for a wind turbine column is performed by coupling a RANS solver for prediction of wind turbine wakes and dynamic programming. Downstream evolution of wind turbine wakes is simulated with low computational cost comparable to that of wake engineering models, but with improved accuracy and capability to simulate different incoming wind turbulence. Dynamic programming is used to estimate optimal tip speed ratio (TSR) and streamwise spacing of the turbines by using a mixed-objective performance index consisting of total power production from the entire turbine array with the penalty of the average turbulence intensity impacting over the rotor discs. The penalty coefficient, representing the economic impact of fatigue loads as ratio of wind energy revenue, is varied in order to mimic different economic periods. The results suggest that a general strategy for wind farm optimization should consist in coupling design performed through spacing optimization and using a relatively low penalty coefficient for the fatigue loads, while wind turbine operations are optimized by varying TSR. •Optimization of wind farms performed with a mixed-objective performance index and different incoming wind turbulence.•Optimization using a low computational cost RANS solver and dynamic programming.•Best results are obtained by coupling optimization of layout and turbine settings.•TSR optimization is more useful for reduction of fatigue loads while spacing optimization leads to significant power increase.•Power increase up to 1.3% is achieved under stable atmospheric conditions for a 5-turbine column.