Reliability, energy and cost effects of wind integration with conventional electrical generating systems
The results from this study demonstrate the importance of system integration analysis in evaluating the effects of wind powered generation on an electrical utility system. For the assumed utility and wind conditions it has been shown that an intermittent energy source such as wind can contribute to overall system reliability. Since reliability indices are the primary criteria for utility expansion planning, it should be possible to reduce conventional capacity installations in response to the reliability improvements associated with wind generation. With both energy and reliability benefits it appears that there is a reasonable potential for wind generators to be competitive, in limited penetrations, with conventional capacity. The evaluations of firm-capacity-equivalents depend on many data and design assumptions. Some of these have been accounted for in this analysis and others have not been addressed.