Smarter Wind Farm Layouts: New Optimization Features to Maximize Capacity and Reduce Wake Loss

September 12, 2025 Articles & PR | Product Update | Offshore | Onshore 6 min read time

In wind energy development, the wind farm layout is more than a technical detail, it’s a strategic lever. Whether you’re designing an onshore wind farm in rugged terrain or planning an offshore wind farm in congested maritime zones, choosing turbine positions impacts everything from wake losses to energy yield, from LCOE calculation to financing viability.

To address this complexity, Youwind’s digital platform now includes a suite of new layout generation and optimization tools, enhancing both control and creativity in scenario planning. Here’s how these features redefine layout strategy for wind developers and analysts alike.

Maximize Spacing with Smart Wind Rose Awareness

Youwind’s improved “Generate Layout” tool introduces a maximize spacing function. This algorithm optimizes turbine distribution based on the wind resource assessment, automatically expanding distances between turbines, especially along dominant wind directions. This method applies high-resolution exploration of the parameter space, reducing wake interaction intelligently.

Maximize Capacity Within Defined Spacing Rules

If your priority is to boost production within a fixed land or sea area, the maximize capacity mode is your go-to. The platform identifies the optimal positioning to fit the maximum number of turbines into the available space.

The Scenario is automatically updated with the expanded capacity, vital for financial modeling wind energy projects.

A Visual, Hands-On Way to Add Turbines Along Complex Features

In addition to algorithmic layout tools, a placement tool has been added to the map interface which is perfect for terrain-constrained or shoreline-following projects:

Draw a line (coastline, ridge, infrastructure corridor, etc.)

Select number of turbines to place along the line

Click “Add turbines along line”, and see your layout instantly adapt

This enables rapid drafting of layouts along real-world constraints, making it easier to test ideas or iterate through scenario comparison for wind farms.

Why It Matters: From Design to Bankability

For developers, consultants, and analysts, these layout improvements help solve real-world challenges:

Reduce time spent in CAD or external tools by handling layout logic within Youwind

Streamline collaborative workflow for wind developers, ensuring all team members work from the same scenario

Improve project economics by identifying layout options that balance capacity and wake efficiency

Combined, this supports a more confident, efficient, and bankable approach to wind farm planning.

Explore the New Features Today

The updated layout tools are available now in the “Turbine Layout and Wakes” section of the Youwind platform.

Try maximize spacing to reduce wake loss

Use maximize capacity for high-output scenarios

Leverage line placement for real-world features

Written by Pieter Gebraad, Chief Engineer

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