Electrical Collection and Transmission Systems for Offshore Wind Power
Authors: Green Jim , Bowen Amy , Fingersh Lee Jay , Wan Yih-Huei 
Published: October 2008

The electrical systems needed for offshore wind farms to collect power from wind turbines-and transmit it to shore- will be a significant cost element of these systems. This paper describes the development of a simplified model of the cost and performance of such systems. The performance prediction accounts for losses as a function of the power produced in the wind farm and the length and size of the cables. The cost prediction is flexibly formulated so wind farm configurations can be evaluated by parameters such as the number of wind turbines, wind turbine size, turbine array configuration and spacing, and distance from shore. The collection system-the medium-voltage electrical grid within the wind farm, and the transmission system-the high-voltage electrical connection to an on-shore transmission line-are treated independently in the model. Data sources for the model and limitations of the data are discussed, and comparison is made to costs reported by others. The choice of transmission system technology is also addressed. This electrical system model is intended for integration into a more comprehensive model of offshore wind farm design, cost, and performance that will be used for parametric studies and optimization of wind farm configurations. Because some concepts for future offshore wind installations in deep water use floating platforms, this paper briefly discusses the application of submarine cable technology to nonfixed termination points, a departure from current practice.

Introduction

The National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, has undertaken a series of concept studies to evaluate the cost and performance of offshore wind farms. The product of these studies will be a comprehensive model of offshore wind farm design, cost, and performance suitable for parametric studies and optimization of wind farmconfigurations. The overall goal of this effort is to helpidentify technology pathways for offshore wind energy development and deployment in the United States. Offshore wind farms present an attractive option because they allow for larger wind turbines that operate in higher wind resources than land-based [1,2]. Offshore installations are also more expensive, so an understanding of their performance, cost, and optimal configurations is needed.

This paper is an overview of one of these concept studies. It focuses on the power losses in wind farm electrical power collection and transmission systems, as well as the costs of the system components and their installation. A hypothetical system was based loosely on the Horns Rev offshore wind farm in Denmark. Inquiries were made with manufacturers about electrical and cost data on the required components, which were then compiled in a spreadsheet model. The performance prediction accounts for losses as a function of power output of the wind farm and length and size of the cables. The cost prediction is flexibly formulated so wind farm configurations can be evaluated by parameters such as the number of wind turbines, wind turbine size, turbine array configuration and spacing, and distance from shore.