Offshore wind farm siting using a genetic algorithm

This study uses a genetic algorithm to optimize a wind farm layout considering the engineering challenges and the ecosystem services as constraints to the turbine siting. Included is an analysis of how wake effects influence the power produced using a simple wake model called the WAsP model. The current study considers the location of the proposed Deep Water Wind Inc. Offshore Wind Farm Project, southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island. The proposed project consists of six, 6MW Siemens wind turbines located within the Rhode Island State waters that extend roughly 4.8 km off of the Block Island coast. The optimum solution produces turbine locations best conforming to areas of low technical, ecological, and social costs, while simultaneously distributing the turbines to minimize turbine wake interaction. Future model improvements will consist of more accurately describing wind conditions within the wind farm and incorporating turbine cable interconnection installation costs.