Improved Modelling Methodologies for the Integration of Large-Scale Wind Power in the Electricity Grid (Verbeterde modeleringsmethodes voor de integratie van grootschalige windenergie in het elektriciteitsnetwerk)

The integration of wind power in the power system is an important subject linked with the commitment to aim for a decarbonisation of the power sector by 2050. The installed capacity has increased rapidly placing wind power among the world s fastest growing technologies. The growing percentage of wind power in the energy mix has turned this subject into a real challenge. The growing wind power installed capacity highlights the main barriers for wind power integration in several fields. The classification of these barriers can be based on different criteria. Some of these hindrances, like the increase of the power reserves needed, become more important from a certain level of wind power penetration. Some others, like the adequacy of the gate closure time, play a role for every megawatt of wind generated. There are challenges for the wind park developers, for the wind turbine manufacturers, for the system operators and for the market agents, amongst others. In this work, the problems have been divided in three main fields: technical, economic and environmental. However, this is not an evident clear-cut classification, as many of the subjects discussed are strongly related to two of the main fields, being technical and economic issues. Nevertheless, this division gives a broad view on the problems, the causes and the consequences and how the issues are interrelated.In the technical area, improvements have been necessary in the wind energy converter technology for the secure interaction of the wind turbines with the grid. The system s power reserves have to take into account a certain amount of power generation which has a limited predictability. On the economic side, the market has to include this power generation technology with very low marginal costs and a certain level of unpredictability. Incentive schemes were designed to represent the value of an energy source that does not need fossil fuels giving it the chance to operate amongst more competitive conventional generation power plants. On the environmental side, the beneficial effect of wind power for the sustainability targets is the main asset. However, the impact of wind power plants on the environment raises even more concerns.In general, the current power system designed for a conventional generation mix needs to evolve and adapt to a new power generation technology with different specifications and operation principles in a relatively short period of time. The analysis of these barriers and the proposals for possible solutions has been the subject of many publications worldwide. This study focuses on the most interesting technical challenges in order to provide a broad view on the problem, develop a method for achieving possible solutions and draws conclusions on the obtained results. The goal is to set further steps in research for the integration of wind power in the grid and the provision of an adequate framework for power system players and decision makers.status: publishe