Integration of Wind Energy into the Electrical Utility System: An Overview of the Issues.

Abstract

This report examines the issues related to integration of wind energy into the utility system grid. In California alone there are nearly 17,000 wind turbines with ratings over 17.5 kW. The changing nature of the wind and reactive power demands of the predominantly induction wind generators will present a number of integration challenges for utilities. The Pacific Northwest is endowed with substantial wind energy resources. Integrating this resource into our utility systems will require planning to resolve the technical problems that affect safety, economics, system stability and overall system reliability. Integration problems in this report will be examined from the point of view of the quantity of energy available, its value to a utility and the quality of energy delivered. 82 refs., 1 fig.