Abstract
Coal-fired power generation will dominate the electricity supply in China in the foreseeable future. Coal fired power units can play a crucial role in integrating intermittent wind energy and improving the overall energy efficiency of the power system. The integration benefits of wind power, along with the gains of high load rates of coal fired units, should be fully taken into account. An optimal model combining wind power and coal fired units is built to analyze the operational flexibility of coal fired units and the integration of wind power. Taking the coal fired units in North China Power Grid as an example, the dispatch costs and benefits are examined under the energy efficiency dispatch mode, in comparison with those under the fair dispatch rules and the installed capacity. The results show that increasing the flexibility of the power system under the energy efficiency dispatch mode may be the best choice for the power system with the high share of coal fired units to integrate more wind power, and that the units delivering flexibility services are financially influenced. The results also indicate that a certain amount of wind power curtailment may be reasonable, and that rational penalty rate and fees for the curtailment of wind power may help to optimize the operation of the power system and integrate more wind power. Based on these results, policy and strategy recommendations are proposed to promote the flexibility of coal fired units and change their operation mode and their dispatch mode in the power system.
Highlights
In response to climate change, economic, and environmental challenges, the Paris Agreement is an important milestone against the global warming
The results show that increasing the flexibility of the power system under the energy efficiency dispatch mode may be the best choice for the power system with the high share of coal fired units to integrate more wind power, and that the units delivering flexibility services are financially influenced
When the ratio of wind power output available to the total power demand is low, all wind power can be fully integrated by the power system, for the coal fired units can be regulated down to provide the flexibility requirements for its integration
Summary
In response to climate change, economic, and environmental challenges, the Paris Agreement is an important milestone against the global warming. China is not alone in the energy system transition as other countries (e.g., Germany, USA, Australia, etc.) with high proportion of coal power generation pursue their own energy targets, and the paths these countries have taken may vary because of their energy mix, RE resources, and political and social setting [5]. Hydropower and Gas-fired power stations are usually regarded as peak regulation sources or flexibility sources
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
