◀ Back to projects overview P2010-004-ENE

 

Design of Offshore Wake Model Validation Project

In general, there is a lack of understanding of the mechanisms of the wake effect and the ability to predict wake losses is limited. This uncertainty hinders more accurate yield predictions for future offshore windparks, but also hinders the improvement of wind farm operations and control and wind farm performance.

Within the framework of the FLOW R&D Theme “Wind Farm Design”, ENECO has planned to execute a major project on Offshore Wake Model Validation. This projects aims to improve the prediction of wake losses and thereby:  

MO1 Improve monitoring and operations of offshore wind farms

MO2 Increase knowledge of wind farm design and performance

MO3 Improvement of wake models  

This project gives the results of the feasibility study of the Offshore Wake Model Validation project. In this feasibility the requirements for the wake model validation have been studied.    

The approach and the results obtained
Eneco is operator and co-owner of the 120 MW offshore Prinses Amaliawindpark. The project deliverables therefore are focussed on a wind measurement campaign in and around the PAWP wind farm.  

To address the main objectives of the study, the following tasks have been executed: 

• A literature review of previous wake validation studies,
• Discussions with several wake model developers (and potential partners in the project) on their requirements for measurements to validate and improve wake models,
• An inventory of relevant data that is currently collected at Prinses Amaliawindpark and OWEZ (Offshore Windpark Egmond aan Zee),
• An investigation of additional measurements techniques that could be used in the project.

Eneco has, in close collaboration with Ecofys, delivered the following documents, which are available for FLOW partners:  

• D1 measurement plan,
• D2 model validation plan,
• D3 business plan.  

The three documents show that an improvement of the wake modelling is technically and economically feasible by executing the proposed measurement plan and model validation plan. This is proposed by Eneco in the Meteo Dashboard project proposal.  

Contribution of the project to offshore wind energy
The feasibility study investigates how wake models can be validated using measurements at an offshore wind farm. Different test cases for wake model validation are identified from discussions with wake model developers and a measurement campaign is proposed to filter and identify the most suitable test cases. It is described what data can be used and what measurement options are available, differentiated in terms of added value, contractual and logistics issues. Furthermore, a method of including wake model developers as participants in the study is proposed.  

Although this is a feasibility study, the resulting outcome of the remaining work as described in the project proposal Meteo Dashboard, an improved and validated wake model, could lead to a cost reduction (LCoE) of approximately 1- 2 %.