Powering Europe - European Wind Energy Association

maINchalleNgeSaNDISSUeSOfINtegratION
The levels of wind power connected to certain national
electricity systems show that wind power can achieve
levels of penetration similar to those of conventional
power sources without changes to the electricity system
in question. In mid 2010, 80 GW of wind power
were already installed in Europe, and areas of high,
medium and low penetration levels can be studied
to see what bottlenecks and challenges occur. Largescale
integration of both onshore and offshore wind
creates challenges for the various stakeholders involved
throughout the whole process from generation,
through transmission and distribution, to power trading
and consumers.
chApTEr 1 INtrODUctION:aeUrOpeaNVISION
In order to integrate wind power successfully, a number
of issues have to be addressed in the following areas:
• System design and operation (reserve capacities
and balance management, short-term forecasting
of wind power, demand-side management, storage,
contribution of wind power to system adequacy)
• Grid connection of wind power (grid codes and power
quality)
• Network infrastructure issues (congestion management,
extensions and reinforcements, specific issues
of offshore, interconnection, smart grids)
• Electricity market design issues to facilitate wind
power integration (power market rules)
Related to each of these areas are technical and institutional
challenges. This report attempts to address
both of these dimensions in a balanced way.
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