Multi Criteria Analysis for the electrical integration of floating offshore solar parks with offshore wind parks
In this report, the electrical integration of floating offshore solar farms with offshore wind farms is considered and the potential benefits of co-use of infrastructure are investigated. To this end, 10 electrical integrations concepts were constructed that can be classified in 3 categories: standalone, semi-standalone and turbineintegrated. A multi criteria analysis (MCA) of these 10 integration concepts was performed to find the most promising integration concept. This multi criteria analysis consisted of different scoring groups, specifically the Cost, Flexibility, Reliability and Environment groups. These groups and their scoring criteria all have different weights, each of which was scored between 1 and 5, leading to final score for each concept. Additionally, two scenarios were considered for this MCA, named the Maximum System Performance and Maximum Compatibility scenarios. These scenarios were used to differentiate between the (eventual) mature state of technology and its early adoption stage, respectively. The main difference between the scenarios is the increased emphasis on cost and value in the Maximum System Performance scenario, while in the Maximum Compatibility scenario the flexibility and reliability of the solution are emphasized. The results of the MCA do not show a clear pre-eminence of a specific category, with each of the three categories having one high scoring concept. Specifically, the standalone category has the high scoring 180-standalone concept (concept 1), which connects 180 MWp of PV production through central inverters and a large transformer to the wind park substation. The semi-standalone category contains the high scoring 45-floating-string concept (concept 10), which connects 4 units of 45 MWp of PV production through floating string inverter and a monopile placed transformer to their array cable, to which the wind turbines are also connected (in a string). Finally, the turbine-integrated category has the high scoring 6-DC concept (concept 9), which consists of 30 units of 6 MWp each. Each of these units uses DC cabling to transport the PV production to a wind turbine, where the generated power is fed to a central inverter and transformer. From the results of the analysis and its sensitivity, it is clear that the best scoring concepts from each category should be investigated in more detail, especially on cost, which is the most sensitive criterion. To this end, a detailed cost modelling analysis with a focus on comparative levelized cost of electricity is performed, as will be discussed in a separate report documenting the results of WP3 - Costs for electrical integration. This analysis will focus on the business case of these concepts and thereby provide a more clear picture of the value of each category. On top of this, a report detailing the technical risks of the selected concepts, the results of WP2 - Technical risks for integration, will be presented next to this cost modelling report. However, it is clear that both (semi) standalone and integrated concept have their own benefits and drawbacks, and both seem viable in their own right.
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In this report, the electrical integration of floating offshore solar farms with offshore wind farms is considered and the potential benefits of co-use of infrastructure are investigated. To this end, 10 electrical integrations concepts were constructed that can be classified in 3 categories: standalone, semi-standalone and turbineintegrated. A multi criteria analysis (MCA) of these 10 integration concepts was performed to find the most promising integration concept. This multi criteria analysis consisted of different scoring groups, specifically the Cost, Flexibility, Reliability and Environment groups. These groups and their scoring criteria all have different weights, each of which was scored between 1 and 5, leading to final score for each concept. Additionally, two scenarios were considered for this MCA, named the Maximum System Performance and Maximum Compatibility scenarios. These scenarios were used to differentiate between the (eventual) mature state of technology and its early adoption stage, respectively. The main difference between the scenarios is the increased emphasis on cost and value in the Maximum System Performance scenario, while in the Maximum Compatibility scenario the flexibility and reliability of the solution are emphasized. The results of the MCA do not show a clear pre-eminence of a specific category, with each of the three categories having one high scoring concept. Specifically, the standalone category has the high scoring 180-standalone concept (concept 1), which connects 180 MWp of PV production through central inverters and a large transformer to the wind park substation. The semi-standalone category contains the high scoring 45-floating-string concept (concept 10), which connects 4 units of 45 MWp of PV production through floating string inverter and a monopile placed transformer to their array cable, to which the wind turbines are also connected (in a string). Finally, the turbine-integrated category has the high scoring 6-DC concept (concept 9), which consists of 30 units of 6 MWp each. Each of these units uses DC cabling to transport the PV production to a wind turbine, where the generated power is fed to a central inverter and transformer. From the results of the analysis and its sensitivity, it is clear that the best scoring concepts from each category should be investigated in more detail, especially on cost, which is the most sensitive criterion. To this end, a detailed cost modelling analysis with a focus on comparative levelized cost of electricity is performed, as will be discussed in a separate report documenting the results of WP3 - Costs for electrical integration. This analysis will focus on the business case of these concepts and thereby provide a more clear picture of the value of each category. On top of this, a report detailing the technical risks of the selected concepts, the results of WP2 - Technical risks for integration, will be presented next to this cost modelling report. However, it is clear that both (semi) standalone and integrated concept have their own benefits and drawbacks, and both seem viable in their own right.