Estimating the impacts of wind power on power systems—summary of IEA Windcollaboration

Abstract

Adding wind power to power systems will have beneficial impacts by reducing the emissionsof electricity production and reducing the operational costs of the power system asless fuel is consumed in conventional power plants. Wind power will also have acapacity value to a power system. However, possible negative impacts will have tobe assessed to make sure that they will only offset a small part of the benefitsand also to ensure the security of the power system operation. An internationalforum for the exchange of knowledge of power system impacts of wind powerhas been formed under the IEA Implementing Agreement on Wind Energy. TheTask ‘Design and Operation of Power Systems with Large Amounts of WindPower’ is analyzing existing case studies from different power systems. There are amultitude of studies completed and ongoing related to the cost of wind integration.However, the results are not easy to compare. This paper describes the generalissues of wind power impacts on power systems and presents a comparison ofresults from ten case studies on increased balancing needs due to wind power.