Poster: Optimizing Towards a Balance Between Cost of Energy, Nameplate Capacity and Marketability
27 Sep 17
4:45 PM
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5:45 PM
Tracks:
Poster Presentation
Scale generally applies in project design in the sense that increased production outweighs increased cost. However, in an optimization for cost of energy (COE) where project size is allowed to dynamically increase as long as wakes are capped and COE is falling, a point of diminishing returns is reached and increases in project size scales the wind farm out of market interest. Performing the second derivative test on the COE curve during optimization will help identify the point of diminishing returns. Accurately assigning costs that occur as a function of project size during an optimization where the project is allowed to dynamically grow becomes increasingly critical. Excelling in these two processes will not only create an accurate estimation of project COE, but can also indicate a balance point between COE and marketability. Identifying this balance point early in the development process results in focused efforts, reduced costs, and increased return potential for the developer.