Configuration optimization and global sensitivity analysis of Ground-Gen and Fly-Gen Airborne Wind Energy Systems

Filippo Trevisi, Michael McWilliam and Mac Gaunaa

Renewable Energy, 2021, vol. 178, issue C, 385-402

Abstract: This paper presents an analysis and optimization of Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWESs), designed to maximize the Annual Energy Production (AEP) and, in the second part, the economic profit. A gradient-based optimization algorithm is used to perform the preliminary design of the main AWES sub-systems. A global sensitivity analysis is carried out to study how the design process, represented by the optimization problem, is influenced by aleatory and epistemic uncertainties. In particular, Ground-Gen and Fly-Gen AWESs are studied with a unified model to allow for a quantitative comparison. In the first part of the work, an ideal hybrid AWES design with ground and on-board power generation is considered. With this approach, the common characteristics of Ground-Gen and Fly-Gen AWES designs that maximize AEP are found. In the second part, Ground-Gen and Fly-Gen AWES optimal economic designs are analyzed individually. It is found that a fully developed AWES has strong potential to be highly competitive in the energy market, by providing cheap renewable energy. Fly-Gen AWESs are found to be slightly more profitable than Ground-Gen if the airborne unit is not replaced often. The main physical and economical characteristics of optimal designs are highlighted.

Keywords: AWES; Configuration optimization; Global sensitivity analysis; Uncertainty quantification; Sobol indices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:178:y:2021:i:c:p:385-402

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.06.011

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