Wind intermittency - mitigation measures and load management

A major problem with wind power is that it is intermittent. Even if it were predictable, the problem of matching generation to demand is difficult. Storage is sometimes advocated, but this tends to be very expensive. The paper examines the main conventional solutions to the intermittency problem - provision of extra reserve generation to compensate for unexpected wind power lulls, and increased interconnection to facilitate support from, and for, neighbouring utilities. The paper then considers a third avenue - use of wind energy to supply heating load. It is feasible to incorporate low-cost energy storage as part of a wind-powered heating package for domestic consumers. It is argued that coordination of the dispersed storage can help solve the wind intermittency problem.