Economic impacts of wind generation variability on gas network operation

Large capacity of wind generation is expected to be installed across Great Britain by 2020. Wind generation is variable, therefore fast ramping generation plants will be required to balance electricity demand. Gas-fired generation plants will most likely be used to compensate for wind generation variability because of their ramping capability and large installed generation capacity. This will cause comparable gas demand swings in the gas network as wind varies. A combined gas and electricity network optimisation model (CGEN) is used to quantify impacts of wind variability on gas network operation. Analysis is performed on mitigation measures such as greater dual fuel capable gas-fired power plants and gas storage capacity in order to reduce gas network constraints and provide alleviation against wind generation variability