On dynamic models for wind farms as systems of systems

Abstract

The authors consider a wind-farm as a system of systems consisting of a number of wind turbines as sub-systems. Each wind turbine comprises its own sensor network and automation units for control and monitoring of turbine's work, structural integrity and environmental situation. Sensing of environment is hierarchical - a single wind turbine senses local conditions and informs both neighbors and central control. The wind-farm's central control owes its situational awareness to single turbines at the sites and areal environmental sensors. The wind turbines, embodied into the same environment, get influenced by and influence both the environment and neighbors. Interaction with the environment, influencing the neighbors and being subjected to central control lead to agent-based modeling and simulation as a convenient method for better monitoring and understanding the work of wind-farms.