Minimizing the Impact of Intermittent Wind Power and Maximizing its Yield on Power System Operation

Abstract

Wind energy exhibits high intermittence in its characteristics and this constitutes a major setback to its integration into the power system operation. Conventional power system operation is a challenging task under variable load and power generation. Integration of wind power, especially on large scales further complicates the operation. In conventional power system, wind generation is connected directly into the system using available techniques to minimize impact of the intermittence. This work proposes a solution to the problem using a new method that requires the elimination of the intermittence prior to its connection into the power system. This minimizes the associated instability issues that could normally result in operational disturbance on both the wind turbine and the power system in addition to increasing the wind power harvest. In this method, the wind power is first harnessed into a Pumped Hydro Generator and thereafter discharged to the power system.