As demand for wind power continues to grow, it is becoming increasingly important to minimize the risk, characterized by the variance, that is associated with long-term power forecasts. This thesis investigated variance reduction in power forecasts from wind farm layout optimization.The problem was formulated as a multi-objective optimization one of maximizing mean-plant-power and minimizing variance. The ε−constraint method was used to solve the bi-objectiveproblem in a two-step optimization framework where two sequential optimizations are performed. The first is maximizing mean wind farm power alone and the second, minimizing variance with a constraint on the mean power which is the value from the first optimization. The results show that the variance in power estimates can be reduced by up to 30%, without sacrificing mean-plant-power for the different farm sizes and wind conditions studied. This reduction is attributed to the multi-modality of the design space which allows for unique solutions of high mean plant power at different power variances. Thus, wind farms can be designed to maximize power capture with greater confidence.

During the last decades the exploitation of energy from the wind has become one of the most promising renewable energy technologies. The main strive in today’s development of wind turbines is to increase the efficiency of the turbine and to build bigger rotors that are able to extract more power out of the wind. When it comes to the planning and designing of a wind park, also the aerodynamic interactions between the single turbines must be taken into account. The flow in the wake of the first row turbines is characterized by a significant deficit in wind velocity and by increased levels of turbulence. Consequently, the downstream turbines in a wind farm cannot extract as much power from the wind anymore. Furthermore, the additional turbulence in the wake could be a reason for increased material fatigue through flow-induced vibrations at the downstream rotor. The main focus of this experimental study is to investigate the local velocity deficit and the turbulence intensities in the wake behind an array of two model wind turbines. For two different turbine separation distances, the wake is scanned at three different downstream positions. The experiments are performed at the wind tunnel (1.9m x 2.7m cross section) at NTNU Trondheim using two model wind turbines with a rotor diameter of 0.9m. A hot wire probe is used to scan the wake behind the model turbines in defined positions. Moving axially downstream the velocity deficit in the wake gradually recovers and the turbulence intensity levels slowly decrease. Furthermore, a gentle expansion of the wake can be observed. The wake profiles measured in close distances behind the rotor are characterized by evident asymmetries. Further downstream in the wake turbulent diffusion mechanisms cause a more uniform and more symmetrical flow field. Moreover, the turbulence intensity behind the second wind turbine is found to be significantly higher than behind one unobstructed turbine. Also, considerably higher velocity deficits are found in the near wake behind the second turbine compared to the wake behind one unobstructed turbine. However, the velocity profile at five rotor diameters downstream in the wake behind the second turbine is already very similar to the velocity distribution behind the first turbine. Furthermore, the velocity field and turbulence intensity distribution in the wake behind the second turbine is more symmetrical and more uniform than behind the first turbine.

The increasing global participation of wind power in the overall generation ca- pacity makes it one of the most promising renewable resources. Advances in power electronics have enabled this market growth and penetration. Through a literature review, this work explores the challenges and opportunities presented by offshore wind farms, as well as the different solutions proposed concerning power electron- ics converters, collection and transmission schemes, as well as control and protection techniques. A novel power converter solution for the parallel connection of high power offshore wind turbines, suitable for HVDC collection and transmission, is presented. For the parallel operation of energy sources in an HVDC grid, DC link voltage con- trol is required. The proposed system is based on a full-power rated uncontrolled diode bridge rectifier in series with a partially-rated fully-controlled thyristor bridge rectifier. The thyristor bridge acts as a voltage regulator to ensure the flow of the desired current through each branch, where a reactor is placed in series for filtering of the DC current. AC filters are installed on the machine side to mitigate harmonic content. The mathematical modeling of the system is derived and the control design procedure is discussed. Guidelines for equipment and device specifications are pre- sented. Different setups for an experimental framework are suggested and discussed, including a conceptual application for hardware-in-the-loop real-time simulation and testing.

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This study investigates the wake shading effect in wind farms, focusing on turbine spacing, horizontal rotor tilt (yaw angle), wind speed, and power production. With the global population increasing, the demand for energy continues to rise, emphasizing the importance of renewable energy sources like wind power. In wind farms, where multiple turbines operate together, the wake effect resulting from one turbine's influence on wind flow for others significantly impacts their power production. This research is focused around Jädraås Wind Power Park in Sweden, using a scaled model of a section of this park in a controlled environment to conduct a detailed analysis. Utilizing both experimental setups in a wind tunnel and numerical simulations for visualization, the study explores the dynamics of wake interactions among turbines and proposes to mitigate their adverse effects.Through the experiments conducted in the wind tunnel, the results demonstrate significant wakeinduced power losses at downstream turbines. The yaw adjustment mechanism of the upstream turbine is used so as to see how it has affected the power output of downstream turbine. The results also indicate significant reductions in power production as a function of turbine spacing. Specifically, the maximum reduction in power output, influenced by the presence of two upstream turbines, occurred at closer spacings between them: a decrease of 66% at 2.08D (2.08 Rotor Diameters between the downstream and the nearest upstream turbine) and 45% at 4.15D. Conversely, at broader spacings of 7.29D and 8.3D, the reductions were more moderate, a decrease of 28% and 18%, respectively. These findings underscore the critical influence of spatial arrangement on the wake-induced power losses within wind farms.Through an investigation of two purposely positioned upstream and downstream turbines at 4D meter of spacing, the optimal yaw angle for maximum combined power generation has been predicted using sinusoidal fitting, the results indicated that at yaw angle range of ±11° of theupstream turbine rotor, a maximum combined power output has been observed. Hence, a sophisticated optimization mechanism should be employed in an operating wind farm so as tolower wake effects.

Subsynchronous oscillations (SSO) were an issue that occurred in the past with conventional generators and were studied extensively throughout the years. However, with the rise of inverter-based resources, a new form of SSO emerged under the name subsynchronous control interaction (SSCI). More specifically, a resonance case occurs between Type-3 wind turbines and series compensation that can damage equipment within the wind farm and disrupt power generation. This work explores the types of SSCI and the various analysis methods as well as mitigation of SSCI. The work expands on the concept of frequency scan to be able to use it in an on-line setting with its output data used to mitigate SSCI through the modification of wind turbine parameters. Multiple frequency scans are conducted using PSCAD/EMTDC software to build a lookup table and harmonic injection is used in a parallel configuration to obtain the impedance of the system. Once the impedance of the system is obtained then the value of the parameters is adjusted using the look-up table. Harmonic injection is optimized through phase shifts to ensure minimal disruption of the steady-state operating point and is conducted using Python programming language with PSCAD Automation Library. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach by ensuring oscillations do not grow exponentially in comparison to the regular operation of the wind farm. / Master of Science / Due to climate change concern and the depletion of fossil fuel resources, electrical power generation is shifting towards renewables such as solar and wind energy. Wind energy can be obtained using wind turbines that transform wind energy into electrical energy, these wind turbines come in four different types. Type-3 wind turbines are the most commonly used in the industry which use a special configuration of the classical induction generator. These wind turbines are typically installed in a distant location which makes it more difficult to transfer energy from its location to populated areas, hence, series capacitors can be used to increase the amount of transferred energy. However, these series capacitors can create a phenomenon called subsynchronous control interaction (SSCI) with Type-3 wind turbines. In this phenomenon, energy is exchanged back and forth between the series capacitors and the wind turbines causing the current to grow exponentially which leads to interruptions in service and damage to major equipments within the wind turbine. This work explores SSCI, the tools to study it, and the currently available mitigation methods. It also presents a method to identify the cases where SSCI can happen and mitigates it using adjustable parameters.

Addressing climate change necessitates a shift towards sustainable energy systems, with wind farms emerging as vital renewable energy sources. However, the implementation raises concerns about ecological and social effects. This study examines the potential effects of onshore wind farms in Sweden through a comparative analysis before and after their construction.Ecological impacts on birds and lepidopterans were assessed using a retrospective case-control study, while social effects were evaluated through a descriptive survey distributed to nearby residents. The results indicate no significant difference in bird or lepidopteran populations before and after wind farm construction. However, there was considerable variation between wind farms on the effects on birds and lepidopterans. The perceived effects by residents correlate closely with their attitudes towards wind energy, with negative attitudes associating with negative perceived effects across all phases of wind farm development.Long-term investigations are warranted to comprehensively understand potential impacts on avian and lepidopteran species, especially includinglocal conditions. Further, wind farm developers are advised to prioritize community engagement and communication to foster positive attitudes and mitigate residents’ perceived impact.

With environmental and policy pressure to move towards cleaner fuel sources, wind energy is a proven technology that can be successfully implemented at the utility-scale and provide clean energy to the grid. Wind energy consists of many distributed wind turbines that are paralleled and connected to inject power to one location on the transmission grid. There are real power losses and reactive power drops that must be taken into consideration for these projects for plant performance and compliance. The better the performance of each new and operating wind farm installed, the more efficiently the grid operates as well as the less greenhouse gases generated. This thesis will first review the creation of an Excel tool to perform a load flow study given inputs for a wind farm using Newton-Raphson algorithms. Next, the results of the load flow analysis will be compared to an actual operating wind farm located in Texas to review the accuracy of the scenarios. Finally, alternative design and operating states for the wind farm are proposed and cases are simulated to review the impact on wind farm energy generation and reactive power provided to the grid. Finally, preferred improvements for future design and operational considerations are provided along with future areas of research and development. / Master of Science / This thesis is focused on improvements for wind farm design and operation to help wind farms generate more clean power to the grid. The thesis involves the creation of an Excel tool which can be used to complete required grid studies for real and reactive power flows within the wind farm to the point of connection with the transmission system. This analysis helps inform the wind farm design and operation to be more effective and operate more efficiently. An operating wind farm in Texas is explained and depicted for an understanding of how utility-scale wind farms are set up. Additionally, a year of data from an operating wind farm is used to compare the Excel load flow tool to actual data and confirm it's accuracy. Alternate methods this plant could have been designed and operated are evaluated using the new tool and actual operating conditions from the plant for the year under analysis are performed to better understand and quantify possible improvements for wind farms. This thesis is less focused on the wind turbine generator (WTG) construction and operation of a single unit, but rather focused on the output from the WTG and the impact on an entire system containing many of these distributed generators and their operation to provide energy to the grid.

More and larger wind farms are planned offshore. As the most suitable build sites are limited wind farms will be constructed near to each other in so called wind farm clusters. Behind the wind turbines in these farms there is a disrupted flow of air called a wake that is characterized by reduced wind speed and increased turbulence. These individual turbine wakes combine to form a farm wake that can travel a long distance. In wind farm clusters farm to farm interaction will occur, i.e. the long distance wake from one wind farm will impact the wind conditions for other farms in the surrounding area. The thesis contains numerical studies of these long distance wakes. In this study Large Eddy Simulations (LES) using an Actuator Disc method (ACD) are used. A prescribed boundary layer is used where the wind shear is introduced using body forces. The turbulence, based on the Mann model, is introduced as fluctuating body forces upstream of the farm. A neutral atmosphere is assumed. The applied method has earlier been used for studies of wake effects inside farms but not for the longer distances needed for farm to farm interaction. Numerical studies are performed to get better knowledge about the use of this model for long distance wakes. The first study compares the simulation results with measurements behind an existing farm. Three parameter studies are thereafter setup to analyze how to best use the model. The first parameter study examines numerical and physical parameters in the model. The second one looks at the extension of the domain and turbulence as well as the characteristics of the flow far downstream. The third one gathers information on the downstream development of turbulence with different combinations of wind shear and turbulence level. The impact of placing the turbines at different distances from the turbulence plane is also studied. Finally a second study of an existing wind farm is performed and compared with a mesoscale model. The model is shown to be relevant also for studies of long distance wakes. Combining LES with a mesoscale model can be of interest.