Reliability optimization of wind farms considering constraints and regulations
Résumé
Optimal power in wind farms has been a problem for constructors and managers during recent years, onshore wind farms are subject to more and more regulations and constraints. The goal is to define optimal installed capacity with maximum reliability and profits. A number of algorithms have thus been developed for the optimization of wind farm power plants. However, according to the literature, no methods have so far been tested on wind farms using real data and wind based conditions. In this Article, we continue the work that has recently been done on wind farm reliability optimization and apply an algorithm to find the best topology. The proposed resolution technique is based on finding the best topology of the system under the constraints of Performance (Availability), Costs and the Global Warming Potential of the system. A case study is done using data and constraints similar to those collected from wind farm constructors, managers and maintainers. Multi-state systems (MSS), Universal generating function (UGF), Wind and Load charge functions are applied. An economic study was conducted to assess the wind farm investment. Net present value (NPV) and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) were calculated for best topologies founded.