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The papers in these workshops represent the personal views of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of their companies, organisations or the IEA.

Integration of Wind Power into Electricity Grids: Economic and Reliability Impacts
 
Location and date(s) of workshop:
IEA, Paris: 25 May 2004
   
Organiser(s): IEA / Nuclear Energy Agency
   
Contact(s):
   

Background:

The increase in share of wind power in the electricity supply has introduced some concerns about the costs associated with maintaining the reliability of the electricity supply. The natural variability of wind output is beginning to cause an increase in the use of reserve capacity. It is also anticipated that additional grid investments may be needed to maintain system reliability as the proportion of wind power grows.

However, there is a lack of consensus on the magnitude and the relative importance of such grid-related costs and benefits attributed to an increasing share of wind power. The variability of cost estimates make it difficult to provide useful guidance in addressing this question. Furthermore, while cost estimates might be available based on today’s grid and generation technology, future developments may help mitigate adverse impacts. The NEA and IEA secretariats are organising a half-day session to discuss this question in greater depth.

Participation by government and industry representatives is by invitation only and subject to seating capacity.

 
Links to relevant documents:
 Agenda (28 May)

 
Proceedings:

Overview
Ralf Dickel, Head of the Energy Diversification Division, IEA.

Chairperson:
Professor Alfred Voss, University of Stuttgart, co-chair Ad Hoc Expert

Itroduction: Group on Projected Cost of Generating Electricity

SESSION I: COSTS OF WIND POWER INTEGRATION INTO ELECTRICIY GRIDS

Managing grids with significant proportions of wind power is not just a future issue, but a present one for a number of IEA countries. Sharing these experiences will help others identify the main implications of increased wind power penetration on the reliability and cost of electricity supply. Key issues to be covered include:

• Reliability issues
• Identification and quantification of cost impact elements
• Regulatory barriers to manage these costs more effectivel

Dr. Wilhelm Winter, Grid planning, E.ON Netz

Paul-Frederik Bach, Deputy Director, System Department, Eltra


Discussant: Luis Jesús Sánchez de Tembleque, Deputy Director for Special Systems, Spanish National Energy Commission (CNE)

SESSION II: ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Governments, their agencies, and regulators have begun to study the potential impact of a growing proportion of wind power on electricity networks. These quantitative assessments can be used to help quantify potential costs and suggest ways that these costs might be minimised.

Quantifying the System Costs of Additional Renewables in the UK:
Professor Goran Strbac, Manchester Centre for Electrical Energy (UMIST)

Costs and technical constraints of RES-E Grid Integration:
Dr. Hans Auer, Vienna University of Technology

Costs of integrating wind energy in Germany:
Dr. Dietmar Lindenberger, Institute of Energy Economics, University of Cologne (EWI)

Discussant: Christian Kjaer, Policy Director, European Wind Energy Association

SESSION III: TOOLS TO MINIMISE COSTS OF INCREASED WINDPOWER

Given that the increase in wind power in some systems may be expected to lead to significant costs, what mechanisms can be used to minimise these additional costs. In particular what role is played by regulatory measures in terms of prices or technical specifications, in the planning and development of transmission or distribution networks, in the changes in the wind power plant design, or in changes in network design.

Regulation and the role of prices:
Lars Groenhuijse, Dutch Energy Regulator

Ancillary services markets and network planning:
Paul Smith, Manager, ESB National Grid

How can wind power plant design minimise additional costs:
Dr. James P. Lyons, Advanced Technology Leader, GE Wind Energy

Discussant: Professor Lennart Söder, Royal Institute of Technology

Chair's final summary