The Value of Wind Power

The aim of the power plants in a power system is to supply the load in an economical, reliable and environmentally acceptable way. Different power plants can fulfil these requirements in different ways. In order to select the right sources it is important to compare the value of the different sources using an objective approach. The aim of this chapter is describe the different needs of a power system and how these needs can be met with wind power, that is, the value of wind power in a certain system. The values are operating cost value, capacity value, control value, grid loss reduction value and grid investment value. The values can be calculated for different types of power plants, they can be both positive and negative, and they can be calculated both as a physical cost value and a market value.