Overall Optimization of Tidal Current Farm: a Case Study in Chacao Channel, Chile.

Abstract

In this work, a mathematical model for the overall optimization of a Tidal Current Farm (TCF) is presented. This model consists of Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) that solves a layout optimization problem and cable routing problem, using a single model for this purpose. Besides, the model estimates the economic profitability of the project through the calculation of Net present value (NPV). The NPV must be maximized, which involves minimizing investment costs and maximizing net cash flows, which are calculated by the number of devices to be occupied and the amount of net energy produced by the TCF, respectively. Both the amount of energy produced and the investment costs are components of the objective function to be optimized. To determine the efficiency of the proposed model, a case study of a TCF project located in the Chacao Canal, Chile, is solved. Selected scenarios are tested, consisting of TCF of different sizes. The results showed that the optimization model determines the best locations for turbines, routing cables to connect them, and sets the economic profitability of the project. Compared to previous work that used mathematical modeling to solve layout problems of this type, this method obtains results in better computational times and is efficient with different cases