Comparative analysis of inner-array systems in offshore wind farms mixing copper and aluminium raw materials
I. Arrambide Department of Electrical Engineering, Escuela de Ingeniería de Guipúzcoa, University of the Basque Country, Donostia-San Sebastián (Spain) 2026-06-27

Abstract

This work presents an evaluation methodology ofelectrical losses in the cables of collector systems for two common options considered nowadays in large offshore wind parks, copper and aluminium raw materials. Furthermore, two additional options of study are evaluated mixing copper and aluminium cables in the same strings. Taking into account the current situation of the offshore collector systems, a summary about schemes employed in commissioned wind farms is presented.
This study plays a key role in order to cut down Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE). Based on the calculus of electrical losses, the author selects the optimum design of the array of the wind farm combined with the most adequate rated power offshore turbines nowadays. The evaluation of power losses is based on real cable data sheets and calculated according to IEC 60287 international standard.

Key words: Array-system, offshore wind farm, power losses, energy losses

References

[1] Non Ferrous Metal Prices | Aluminium ₹200-220/kg Copper ₹750-800/kg https://www.ofbusiness.com/prices/non-ferrous

[2] XLPE Submarine cable systems. Attachment to XLPE land cable systems – User´s guide. Rev 5. ABB.

[3] IEC 60028. International standard of resistance of copper.

[4] IEC 60889. Hard-drawn aluminium wire for overhead line conductors.

[5] “FLOw Redirection and Induction in Steady state” (FLORIS). https://www.nrel.gov/wind/floris.html

[6] Joseph C. Y. Lee, M. Jason Fields “An overview of wind-energy-production prediction bias, losses, and uncertainties” Wind Energy Science 6, 2021, pp315-365. https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-6-311-2021

[7] IEC 60287 Calculation of the current rating - Part 1: Current rating equations (100 % load factor) and calculations of losses.

[8] Cigré Working Group WG B1.10 “Update of service experience of HV underground and submarine cable systems”, Reference TB 379 Technical Brochure, Paris, France, 2009.

[9] M.K. Mehta, “Wind Turbine Sizing For Offshore Wind Farms”, Delft University of Technology.
https://doi.org/10.4233/uuid:4daa4406-74a2-468b-9753-d49f6aef718c