Design for Repowering of Wind Farms: An Initial Framework

Abstract

The need for clean and cost-effective energy sources is more pertinent than ever. Wind energy positions itself as a global contender in this role, offering a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly energy option. Furthermore, the wind energy industry is already starting to see numerous wind farms reaching 20+ years of life that require either repowering or decommissioning decisions to be made. Repowering offers many potential economic and sustainable benefits; however, many operators are faced with challenging decisions regarding whether to repower and how to optimally repower. This paper aims to address these challenges by introducing a novel comprehensive framework, known as “Design for Repowering”. In Design for Repowering, wind farms of the future would be designed with planned repowering in mind. Through integration of multiple criteria, including health monitoring/sensors, digital twins, and social/environmental factors, we aim to address open questions about repowering, such as the optimal timing, strategy, and economics of repowering decisions. Furthermore, the framework is applied to several case studies, illustrating its potential for solving some of the long-term challenges expected in the future of wind energy.