Kinewell Energy has launched a licensed version of its inter-array layout optimisation software, KLOC, which was initially launched as a consultancy tool for Kinewell Energy in 2015 after two years of research and development.
“We have developed our world leading inter-array cable layout optimisation solution into a licensed product following requests from clients. This enables clients to harness the power of the KLOC software in-house,” Kinewell Energy Managing Director, Andrew Jenkins , said.
In a case study of the Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm, the software was able to realise savings of GBP 2.2 million, or 3% of the installed cable cost, Kinewell Energy states.
The software developer explained that KLOC rapidly designs an economically optimised inter-array cable layout design for an offshore wind farm based on the locational and cost data it is presented with. The software appropriately prioritises the optimisation of capital cost against operational costs such as electrical distribution losses and unavailability losses due to cable faults.
In addition to the value generated through a single run of the KLOC optimisation engine, further value can be achieved by using the multi-run functionality which is possible due to the software’s speed, Kinewell Energy said, adding that a multi-run can determine cost sensitives using automated incremental changes to input data on each run.
“Prior to the availability of the KLOC software, such optimised inter-array cost sensitivity analysis was not possible due to the prohibitive time and cost of undertaking such a calculation,” Jenkins said.
Besides offshore wind, KLOC can be used on large onshore wind, large solar, wave and tidal energy projects, as well as on some parts of oil & gas projects, according to its developer.