Evaluating the operational flexibility for wind energy integration in Nigeria using a security constraint unit commitment model

The study evaluated the flexible techno-economic operations of thermal plants for sustainable wind power integration into the Nigerian electricity industry using security constraint unit commitment approach. This provides empirical evidence on the thermal power plants capability to back-up variable generation from wind energy. Relative to the current generation mix, 10% and 20% wind energy penetration increased the system spinning reserve per day from 702.5 to 1507.5 and 2107.5 MW respectively. Thermal plants total numbers of start-up per day decreased from 23 to 14 and 18, and shutdown hours per day decreased from 52 to 44 and 49 hrs in 10% and 20% wind energy integrated system, respectively. Greenhouse emission reduction per day were 1746.6 and 3254.4 lb, and thermal plants operational revenue reduced by 3.7 and 7.0% daily in 10% and 20% wind energy integrated system, respectively.