Optimization of Generation Plant Mix with the Integration of Large-Scale Wind Power

With the growth of wind power, wind power’s variability and unpredictability increases the need for power reserves in the minute to hour time-frames. Because these are often provided by conventional generating units, wind power must be taken into account in the commitment and dispatch generation of these units in the system. In this paper, impacts of wind power on the existing generation system and the opportunities for base-load coal, fast gas turbines, and different energy storage options are explored. Results include information on energy storage operation cycles, total operating cost, wasted wind power resources and emissions. It is shown that the feasibility of different generation options is dependent on the amount of wind power installed in the system. The value of baseload coal and gas-fired combined cycle decreases with the amount of installed wind power, whereas the value of underground pumped accumulation storage increases, although unlikely to become profitable. In this case, the use of heat boilers at combined heat and power locations appears to have the most potential for efficiently creating additional technical space for wind power integration.