Technical and economic assessment of offshore wind power plants based on variable frequency operation of clusters with a single power converter

The aim of this paper is to analyse, from the technical and economic point of view, the suitability of a proposed Offshore Wind Power Plant (OWPP) scheme based on removing the individual power converters of each wind turbine and connecting a turbine cluster (or an entire WPP) to a single large power converter (SLPC), by means of a centralised control. This proposed concept is specially worthwhile for HVDC interfaced offshore or remote WPPs where a common power converter (LCC or VSC) is required at the connection point of the wind farms. According to this approach, two WPP topologies are studied depending on whether the SLPC operates at variable or constant frequency (SLPC-VF or SLPC-CF). A detailed methodology to assess any WPP layout under any wind condition is presented and applied to a case study. In order to obtain accurate results, a wake model considering single, partial and multiple wakes within a WPP is considered. The implemented algorithm takes into account the steady-state and maintenance (preventive and corrective) energy losses, as well as investment and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, to provide a precise technical and economic assessment of each WPP topology analysed. Due to the uncertainty of certain parameters, a sensitivity analysis varying the cost and efficiency of the individual power converters of each wind turbine, as well as the main economic indicators, has been performed. The results obtained suggests a good potential for the SLPC-VF scheme achieving a total cost saving of up to 6% compared to the conventional WPP topology, based on individual power converters connected to each turbine. Likewise, the effectiveness of implementing an optimum electrical frequency calculation algorithm for variable frequency operation within the WPP is demonstrated as a greater economic benefit can be realised for SLPC-VF instead of SLPC-CF scheme.