Optimal reserve requirements for integrating intermittent wind energy resources

Abstract

Limitations of conventional power generation reserves and environmental restrictions have encouraged the adoption of natural wind energy resources to be implemented for electricity generation. However, the problem of renewable energy is the uncertainty associated with its integration to the power grid due to its variable output. The emergence of wind power as an electrical power generation resource has developed great benefits with diminution in emissions and the render of zero cost fuel. Beside all this, it also has brought many challenges for the operation of power systems due to the increased variability and uncertainty. To account for such intermittent characteristics, operating reserves should be managed to balance out generation deficiency in a timely manner. The objective of this project was to estimate the optimal level of operating reserves for any power system that is having an integrated intermittent Wind energy as a source for electric generation. By using mathematical models, operating reserves were optimized on the basis of different forecasted wind conditions. The Mathematical model was designed and tested on the IEEE-30 Bus system. For optimization, a scheduled 24 hours system load and a wind curve was used. Firstly pre-determined generation cost for each hour was calculated without optimization on the basis of base case study. Later cost of optimized generation was calculated and compared with previous case. The designed model was successful in achieving the optimised results and justifies its existence to help in future power planning. Such optimization was done by using General Algebraic Modelling System (GAMS) simulator while graphical results were presented by using Matlab.