IEA Wind Task 25: summary of experiences and studies for wind integration

IEA WIND R&D Task 25 on "Design and Operation of Power Systems with Large Amounts of Wind Power" collects and shares information on wind generation impacts on power systems, with analyses and guidelines on methodologies. The summary report published June 2016 contains summary of experience of wind integration as well as the most relevant wind power grid integration studies in the 16 participating countries. The studies address concerns about long-term planning issues and short-term operational impacts. There is already significant experience in integrating wind power in power systems. Electricity markets, with cross-border trade of intra-day and balancing resources, and emerging ancillary services markets are considered as a positive development for future large shares of wind power. Energy system integration between electricity, gas and heat sectors is studied for future high share renewable systems. Enhancing use of hydro power storage to balance larger systems is another promising option. Integration studies for >40 % shares of wind and solar power in the power system are pushing the limits of how much variable generation can be integrated. The results so far are promising and the work is ongoing with more detailed modelling possibilities in the future. Electricity storage is still not as cost effective in larger power systems as other means of flexibility, but different forms of storage have a large role in the emerging studies for 100 % renewable systems.