Together with its project partners RWE, ForWind (University of Oldenburg – Institute of Physics), and Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES is investigating in the “C²-Wakes – Controlled Cluster Wakes” research project how the total energy yield of offshore wind farms can be optimized. The aim of the project is to utilize an extensive offshore wind measurement campaign and modeling methods to determine if and how large-scale wake effects and the global blockage effect can be reduced in the future. The project is set to make significant contributions to climate change mitigation and ensure reliable and cost-efficient energy supply. To date, little research on this topic has been conducted anywhere in the world. The project is being funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) with a total of around €2.86 million.
Space-efficient wind energy expansion required
By 2030, at least 80% of electricity is to be produced from renewable energies. Offshore wind energy has an important role to play in this endeavor, and the expansion plans and associated tendering volumes have accordingly been significantly increased. The German government plans to increase the offshore wind energy capacity to at least 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and at least 70 GW by 2045. This growth is regulated and promoted in the German Offshore Wind Energy Act (WindSeeG). The strategic planning is laid down in the area development plan and is relevant for the design, installation, and operation of wind farms. As the areas available for offshore wind farm development in the German Bight are limited, efficient utilization of this space is required to maximize the benefit of offshore wind. Therefore, offshore wind farms are often installed in groups known as clusters. Precise determination of the wind potential helps to optimize the energy yield from the areas. In the Controlled Cluster Wakes research project, “C²-Wakes” for short, scientists are investigating how the planning and operation of large offshore wind farms and wind farm clusters can be improved and rendered more efficient.
Improved methods for optimized wind farm yields
The turbines in large wind farm clusters can influence each other, with wakes with lower wind speeds and higher turbulence developing behind the turbines. Improved modeling and measurement of the wakes thus allows optimized site selection and resource planning for future offshore wind farms. The scientists plan to investigate how wakes from different wind farms overlap and how wake-optimized operational management may impact these effects in large offshore wind farms on both internal and also large-scale wakes. This requires extensive measurements and validated models. To this end, the project team is collecting data via a comprehensive scanning lidar measurement campaign in RWE’s Amrumbank West offshore wind farm close to the German island of Heligoland. The devices installed on the wind turbine nacelles measure the flow fields downstream of the wind turbines. Using the acquired data, the scientists can analyze how the wind speeds evolve within the wind farm as well as how internal and large-scale wake effects behind the wind farm change if the control strategy is adapted, for example by testing wake steering.
“In the C²-Wakes project, we can draw on our findings from the earlier research project X-Wakes, where we gained a fundamental understanding of the interaction between long-range wake effects, the global blockage effect, and the coasts in the German Bight. These findings help us to investigate whether and how large-scale wind farm effects can be influenced. Among other things, we are combining assumptions about future wind turbine technologies, wind farm designs, and active wake steering,” explained Dr. Martin Dörenkämper, project coordinator, Fraunhofer IWES.
As part of the project, the scientists at the University of Oldenburg, ForWind, are developing and evaluating high-resolution simulation methods and lidar measurement scenarios. The team from Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon is analyzing satellite data and further developing methods for wind field reconstruction, which, in turn, should provide an answer to the question of how different wind turbine technologies, wind farm structures, and wind farm layouts impact wake effects. Offshore wind farms off the British coast will be analyzed as well.
Thomas Michel, COO RWE Offshore Wind, said: “We are pressing ahead with the expansion of offshore wind energy worldwide. At the same time, we also intend to further accelerate the development and demonstration of innovative solutions. With the research results of the C²-Wakes project, we have the opportunity to make offshore wind energy even more cost-effective and efficient.”
The offshore scanning lidar measurement campaign started in early April with the installation of three devices and is intended to run for a period of at least six months. The data acquired will be used in the scope of the project for the validation of improved models. The research project was launched in May 2023 and will run for three years. In addition to scientific publications, the results will also be made available to industry and planning authorities in the form of recommendations for action and further developed open-source software tools such as the FOXES wind farm planning software.
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Fraunhofer IWES
Fraunhofer IWES secures investments in technological developments through validation, shortens innovation cycles, accelerates certification procedures, and increases planning accuracy by means of innovative measurement methods in the wind energy and hydrogen technology sectors. There are currently more than 300 scientists and employees as well as more than 100 students employed at nine locations: Bochum, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Görlitz, Hamburg, Hannover, Leer, Leuna, and Oldenburg.
ForWind
ForWind is the joint Center for Wind Energy Research of the universities of Oldenburg, Hannover, and Bremen. ForWind bundles the wind energy research in northwest Germany and links 30 institutes and working groups at the universities of Oldenburg, Hannover, and Bremen. ForWind thus forms a research network which is one of a kind in Germany and covers a wide spectrum of scientific topics. Its research focuses are in the fields of engineering, physics and meteorology, computer science, and economics.
RWE
RWE shapes and sets the pace of the green energy world. With its investment and growth offensive Growing Green, RWE is making a key contribution to the success of the energy transition and decarbonization of the energy system. The company employs around 20,000 members of staff in almost 30 countries all over the world. RWE is already one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energies. Between 2024 and 2030, it plans to invest €55 billion worldwide in offshore and onshore wind energy, solar energy, storage technologies, flexible production, and hydrogen projects. By the end of the decade, the company’s green portfolio is set to grow to more than 65 gigawatts of production capacity. This will be complemented perfectly by global energy trading. RWE is decarbonizing its business in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and aims to phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be climate-neutral by 2040. Fully in line with the Purpose – Our energy for a sustainable life.
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon GmbH
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon GmbH conducts research for an evolving world. Around 1,100 employees develop knowledge and innovations for greater resilience and sustainability. The scientific spectrum at Hereon includes high-performance materials, processes, and environmentally friendly technologies for mobility and new energy systems. In addition, it researches biomaterials for use in medicine and for improving quality of life. With the help of research and consulting, Hereon adopts a solution-oriented approach to tackling the challenges of climate change and with comprehensive scientific understanding enables sustainable management and protection of the coastal and marine environment.
More information on the C²-Wakes project: C²-Wakes project description
