Wind farm layout optimization using pseudo-gradients

Abstract. This paper presents a heuristic building block for wind farm layout optimization algorithms. For each pair of wake-interacting turbines, vector is defined. Its magnitude proportional to the speed deficit waked turbine due waking turbine. direction chosen from inter-turbine, downwind, or crosswind directions. These vectors can be combined all turbines and averaged over resource obtain vector, “pseudo-gradient”, that take role gradient in classical gradient-following A proof-of-concept algorithm demonstrates how such used computationally efficient optimization. Results various sites, both idealized realistic, illustrate types generated by algorithm. results provide basis discussion heuristic's strong points – speed, competitive reduction wake losses, flexibility weak partial blindness objective dependence on starting layout. The computational pseudo-gradient-based an enabler analyses would otherwise impractical. Pseudo-gradient-based has already been industry design large-scale (offshore) farms.