Metaheuristics for Intelligent Electrical Networks

5Genetic Algorithm-based Wind Farm Topology Optimization

5.1. Introduction

A wind farm installation consists of using the wind to rotate a large-sized propeller. When the wind reaches the propeller, the particular shape of the blades allows it to easily be put into motion. At a height, the wind is stronger because it is free from the roughness of the ground. The propeller is therefore placed on top of a tower of several tens of meters. The addition of an automatic system enables the wind turbine to be placed facing the wind, which increases its efficiency. When the propeller starts to turn, it acquires the energy of the motion transmitted by the wind. The latter is then transformed into electric energy due to the dynamo effect and sent into the network.

Several wind turbines can be grouped on the same site to form a wind farm. In this case, maintenance is simpler and billing is easier. On the other hand, the operating strategy and the management of the complexity and risks incurred by such a farm become a sensitive matter. These difficulties include connecting wind turbines to the electric grid, which is not an easy task for operators. As a matter of fact, given the high cost of wires, the cost of feeders and their eventual unavailability, a bad interconnection in a wind farm can result in very significant safety and pecuniary losses.

In this chapter, the main objective of the work carried out was to satisfy a specific requirement, namely the implementation of a computational ...