A mixed-integer programming methodology to design tidal current farms integrating both cost and benefits: A case study in the Chacao Channel, Chile

In a tidal power plant the most important devices are the tidal current turbines that harvest the kinetic energy contained in the tide and convert it into electricity. The number of turbines to install, their spatial configuration, and the connection of submarine cables are critical aspects in the development of marine energy projects. Here, we present a mixed-integer programming methodology to design tidal current farms considering both cost and benefits. We propose a model that solves, concurrently, the turbine’s locations and cable infrastructure by computing the number, locations, submarine connections of tidal turbines, and the tidal current farm’s overall capacity. The proposed model considers location-based costs, including cable routing and loss from wake effect and electrical transmission, to maximize the project’s economic viability. We demonstrate the methodology’s utility by determining the optimal turbines’ configuration in a real-life case study in the Chacao Chanel, Chile. Finally, practitioners can easily implement our methodology using any standard off-the-shelf mixed-integer programming software to evaluate their tidal current farm projects.