Optimization models for turbine location in wind farms

In this thesis we investigate how to design wind farms, onshore or offshore, so as to maximize the power output. The cost that is in the focus of our attention is the wake effect, i.e., the fact that the wind velocity is reduced downstream behind a turbine and causes a reduced power output from the turbines thus located. More specifically, we consider the following problems. Problem 1: Suppose we are given an offshore region with some data on the wind conditions, and a number of turbines that are to be placed within the region. We would like to find the placement that returns the maximal amount of power. Problem 2: Similar to Problem 1, but now the number of turbines is not fixed, and there are only a finite number of possible locations. We take the cost of installing and running a wind mill into consideration, and maximize the net present value of the wind farm.