Modelling of a synchronous offshore pumping mode airborne wind energy farm

• Airborne wind energy (AWE) is an emerging novel approach to wind energy.
• ‘Pumping mode’ AWE devices in individual operation produce a periodic power output.
• We do not reverse the generator during pumping mode operation.
• We directly interconnect multiple AWE devices to provide continuous power output.
• Simulation of proposed AWE farm operations presented, with encouraging results.

A wind farm for the deployment of pumping mode AWE (airborne wind energy) systems is presented in this paper. The topology presented is suitable for the deployment of such systems in a marine or similarly inaccessible environment. A brief technical description of AWE is provided, outlining the background, motivation and approaches taken by this emerging technology. A method of providing a continuous power supply from a cluster of AWE systems whose individual operation produces a periodic power supply is outlined. This method employs direct drive, directly interconnected permanent magnet synchronous generators on a local bus. A full-scale power converter is located at the point of grid connection, providing compliant power output for the remote cluster. In the case of a marine environment deployment, the power electronics are located onshore where maintenance and repair can be readily performed without the delays and costs associated with offshore maintenance and repair. The direct interconnection of synchronous generators introduces the requirement for a control system to control the connection of offline machines to the energised bus. A mathematical model of the system is outlined and the implementation of this model in Simulink is detailed. Simulation results under varied operating conditions are presented and discussed.