Abstract:

Yaw error lowers the efficiency and reliability of wind turbines resulting in higher maintenance costs. LIDAR devices can correct the yaw error; however, they are expensive, which creates a trade-off between their costs and benefits. In this study, a stochastic discrete-event simulation model is developed that models the operation of a wind farm. We optimize the net present value (NPV) changes associated with using LIDAR devices in a wind farm to determine the optimum number of LIDAR devices and their associated turbine stay time as a function of number of turbines in the wind farm for specific turbine sizes.