Optimal Design for Offshore Wind Farm considering Inner Grid Layout and Offshore Substation Location

This paper introduces an efficient methodology to design optimally cable layout of inner grid as well as location of offshore substation. The methodology is composed of two optimizers: one is inner grid layout optimizer, which consists of several algorithms such as the k-clustering-based genetic algorithm, the minimum spanning tree, and the cable selection; the other one is offshore substation location optimizer based on the pattern search method. While performing iteratively two optimizers, alternatives for cable layout and candidates for location of offshore substation are generated and evaluated in the economic and reliability aspects, respectively. Optimal layout of offshore wind farm is determined so as to minimize the total cost which is a sum of construction, power loss, maintenance, and reliability costs.