Optimization of the electrical connection topology of a tidal farm network

Abstract

This article presents an approach to optimize the electrical connection topology of tidal energy converters in a tidal farm. The methodology is based on a genetic algorithm (GA). The main purpose is to present a technique of coding to find the best electrical connection topology of the tidal farm network. The optimization model takes into account the energy loss in the submarine cables. The model gives as its output the optimal number of turbine clusters connected to each offshore substation, the number of turbines in each cluster, the cross-section of MV and HV cables, the connection design for each cluster of turbines as well as the number and the locations of the offshore substations. A particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) is used to confirm the results obtained with the GA. The optimization approach is applied to the Fromveur Strait (France).