Offshore wind farm arrays

This chapter presents some of the main configurations and technologies that are being used or considered for offshore wind farm electrical collection. It introduces the industry's current practice for design and implementation. Wind turbine array layouts and electrical collectors are designed on a site-specific basis to achieve a good balance between cost, electrical losses and wake effects. The material presented in the chapter is oriented towards the electrical aspects once a layout has been identified to ensure maximising the energy yield from the wind. Issues addressed include electrical performance, wind farm capacity, wind turbine generator technology and voltage levels among others.