Thursday, 29 September 2016
09:00 - 10:30 Making electricity markets fit for wind
Integrating wind power into the electricity market  
          

Wind power is variable and dependent on the weather, so fundamentally different from classic fuel-based power. Electricity markets wereoriginally designed with conventional central power stations in mind, but the developments in the last two decades have introduced ever larger amounts of renewable energy.

The session provides an overview of the different markets for wind power, and on the role wind power can play in those. The main angle of the session is money, but the underlying need to balance the grid at all times can be monetized in different ways. The session also shows how wind power can be a good grid citizen, and get access to different income than just to sell the power.

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Learning objectives

• Wind power in the different markets;
• Different markets for wind power;
• Cost, value and income opportunities of wind power.

Co-chair(s):

Adrian Timbus ABB, Switzerland
Co-authors:
Adrian Timbus (1) ^F
(1) ABB, Baden, Switzerland

Enabling ancillary services from wind farms

Introduction

Wind farms can play a role in ancillary services markets since they can be regarded as having the same characteristics as conventional generation plant. However, there are still some challenges remaining before this can happen. This paper describes potential plant design and control solutions that will enable wind farms to deliver ancillary services. It also proposes an integrated grid connection concept, where the capability of a wind farm to provide flexible power output and ancillary services is addressed from the very beginning and optimized from a cost-benefit standpoint at the plant level.

Approach

This paper explains the growing importance of ancillary services. It then outlines how wind farms can participate in this growing market and the technical solutions that are required to make this possible. One potential solution is highlighted with a concrete example of a virtual power plant (VPP) involving more than 2000 power plants in Europe.

Main body of abstract

The ancillary services market for renewables is growing steadily in many countries worldwide. Wind farms can be considered as power units having similar power plant characteristics to conventional generation units. Technically, wind generation is able to secure the quality, stability and reliability of the grid by delivering ancillary services. But some challenges remain in optimizing the control of the wind parks to maximize economic opportunities while ensuring that the power system operates securely. These challenges include the inter-collaboration of several small wind farms, simultaneous control of different devices and the application of business and market dynamics to the control of the wind farms.

The existing and upcoming grid code requirements in Europe and worldwide, challenge the design and control system of wind turbines, asking for more flexibility in power production and speed of reaction to grid events.

Considering the vast amount of wind power already installed in Europe and elsewhere and the penetration levels in some grids, the provision of ancillary services and grid support functions from old and new wind installations are key to enable further integration of wind power.

This paper describes possible plant design and control solutions to enable wind farms to provide ancillary services to both market and grid operators. First, based on initial wind farm design and operational data, this paper addresses the case of existing installations and describes an assessment of power production flexibility and provision of ancillary services. It also offers guidance on possible improvements such as the addition of reactive and active power sources and intelligent control systems to enable these wind farms to provide ancillary services.

Second, the paper proposes an integrated grid connection concept, where the capability of a wind farm to provide flexible power output and ancillary services is addressed from the very beginning, from a cost-benefit standpoint at the plant level.

Finally, the paper describes the concept of aggregation of multiple plants into virtual power plants (VPP). This concept covers concerns related to volatility of wind farm output and the need to find additional balancing power from other generating units such as solar, hydro or biomass. A concrete example of a virtual power plant involving more than 2000 power plants across Europe is highlighted as a potential solution.


Conclusion

Wind farms are ready to play a significant role in the delivery of ancillary services for power grids. However, for this to happen new design and control solutions are required.


Learning objectives
This paper will explain how wind farms can participate in the ancillary services market. It will outline the technical challenges that need to be addressed and detail design and control solutions. It will also provide a practical example in the form of a virtual power plant involving more than 2000 power plants across Europe.