Wind Integration in Power Systems: Operational Challenges and Possible Solutions

This paper surveys major technical challenges for power system operations in support of large-scale wind energy integration and possible alternatives are suggested for a more reliable and cost-effective power system operation.

Abstract

This paper surveys major technical challenges for power system operations in support of large-scale wind energy integration. The fundamental difficulties of integrating wind power arise from its high inter-temporal variation and limited predictability. The impact of wind power integration is manifested in, but not limited to, scheduling, frequency regulations, and system stabilization requirements. Possible alternatives are suggested for a more reliable and cost-effective power system operation. New computationally efficient methods for improving system performances by using prediction and operational interdependencies over different time horizons remain critical open research problems.