Fundamentals of Ocean Renewable Energy

Chapter 9

Optimization

Abstract

To make the best use of an ocean renewable energy resource, for example, to maximize electricity generation whilst minimizing environmental impacts, it is necessary to perform optimization. Optimization theory has wide-ranging applications, but here we consider applications to offshore wind, tidal energy, and wave energy. Many intraarray optimization topics are common across the majority of ocean renewable energy resources, for example, optimizing device spacing and minimizing variability. We also consider interarray optimization within the context of tidal energy plants—a predictable resource with strong potential for phasing of power stations along a tidal wave, hence minimizing variability in aggregated power ...