Ring-Based Radial Topology Offshore Wind Collector System

This paper proposes a ring-based radial topology design for offshore wind farm collector systems to enhance reliability and cost-effectiveness. The traditional ring topology, though highly reliable, faces challenges such as increased investment costs due to the need for cables designed to handle maximum current flow. To address this, we integrate elements of the ring topology into a radial framework, creating a hybrid design that combines high reliability with the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of radial topology. The proposed method first uses a mixed-integer linear programming model based on the capacitated vehicle routing problem to minimize the total length of the collector system. Then it replaces the middle segment of the feeder loop with a tie cable. Case studies, including an analysis of the Robin Rigg offshore wind farm, demonstrate significant cost savings compared to traditional ring topology, ensuring balanced power distribution and the safety of turbines on faulty feeders. The results show that the proposed design reduces costs by up to 47.82% compared to the traditional ring topology, making it a promising solution for future offshore wind collector systems.