Models of AC and DC Cable Systems for Technical and Economic Evaluation of Offshore Wind Farm Connection

Abstract

Accurate cable modeling is a recurrent issue for electric architecture evaluation and design, especially in specific contexts, like offshore wind farms. This paper proposes optimal analytical cable models for the technical and economic assessment of offshore wind generation systems. Proposed models evaluate the electrical and thermal behaviors of cables, as components of the complete offshore wind generation transmission system. The cost effectiveness of the latter is assessed by considering both CAPEX and OPEX contributions. A comparison with published models is also presented, and illustrated on various cable designs. Among others, we can see that the greater the section, the more interesting the simplification model is. Also, we checked that the model proposed by Brakelmann is correct in DC. For all other cases, the model, based on standards, is preferred. The proposed paper goes beyond cables modeling by describing an assessment method based on specific cables modeling, allowing the choice of cables within a holistic assessment tool bringing decision support regarding optimal design of offshore wind farm grid connection. A system assessment based on the proposed model is presented, for a typical HVAC architecture. 