Wake Effect on Floating Offshore Wind - A Case Study in Fengfan Offshore Wind Farm

This study presents a case analysis of the Fengfan offshore wind farm, a Round 3 project proposal with a planned capacity of 750 MW, located offshore near Hsinchu, Taiwan. The region is known for its high wind density, and this study utilizes an IEA 15 MW wind turbine on the semi-submersible floating platform. Several aspects of wind farm development are considered, including wind farm simulation, layout optimization to maximize annual energy production (AEP), and optimization for Internal Rate of Return (IRR), which incorporates the calculation of optimal cabling routes. Python-based open-source tools, PyWake and TopFarm, were employed to simulate wake effects and optimize the layout. The IRR analysis suggests an optimization can increase the IRR by approximately 4–6%. This highlights the importance of cable route design for enhancing overall economic performance. This analysis offers valuable insights into the effects of wake interactions and cabling design on floating wind farm planning and design, contributing to a deeper understanding of floating offshore wind farm development.