Anders N. Andersen

Drivers of imbalance cost of wind power: A comparative analysis

In Europe an increasing share of wind power is sold on the power market. Therefore more and more wind power generators become balancing responsible and face imbalance cost that reduce revenues from selling wind power. A comparison of literature illustrates that the imbalance cost of wind power varies in a wide range. To explain differences we indentify parameters influencing imbalance cost and compare them for case studies in Austria, Denmark and Poland. Besides the wind power forecast error also the correlation between imbalance and imbalance price influences imbalance cost significantly. Especially in systems with significant wind shares, an assessment of imbalance cost based on the amount of imbalance and average System Sell and System Buy Prices is therefore not reliable. While imbalance cost rather reflects cash flows within the clearing of imbalances, the presented concept of cost of imperfect forecast is better suited to reflect real cost incurred due to inaccurate wind power forecasts.

Chapter 6 – Analysis: Smart Energy Systems and Infrastructures

This chapter introduces the concept of smart energy systems. As opposed to the smart grid concept, which takes focuses solely on the electricity sector, smart energy systems includes the entire energy system in its approach to identifying suitable energy infrastructure designs and operating strategies. The typical smart grid focus on the electricity sector often leads to the definition of transmission lines, flexible electricity demands, and electricity storage as the primary means to deal with the integration of fluctuating renewable sources. However, due to the intermittent nature of wind power and similar sources, these measures are not very effective or cost-efficient. The most effective and least-cost solutions are found when the electricity sector is combined with the heating sector and/or the transportation sector. Moreover, the combination of electricity and gas infrastructures may play an important role in the design of future renewable energy systems.

Analysis: Smart Energy Systems and Infrastructures

This chapter introduces the concept of smart energy systems. As opposed to the smart grid concept, which takes focuses solely on the electricity sector, smart energy systems includes the entire energy system in its approach to identifying suitable energy infrastructure designs and operating strategies. The typical smart grid focus on the electricity sector often leads to the definition of transmission lines, flexible electricity demands, and electricity storage as the primary means to deal with the integration of fluctuating renewable sources. However, due to the intermittent nature of wind power and similar sources, these measures are not very effective or cost-efficient. The most effective and least-cost solutions are found when the electricity sector is combined with the heating sector and/or the transportation sector. Moreover, the combination of electricity and gas infrastructures may play an important role in the design of future renewable energy systems.

Grid impact of charging electric vehicles; study cases in Denmark, Germany and The Netherlands

Electric vehicles (EV) are one element of the future transition towards a clean and sustainable energy system, since they can be powered by electricity generated by wind, photovoltaics (PV) and other renewable energy sources. With their ability of decentralized storage of electricity they can even contribute to solving the challenge of leveling out fluctuating generation by shifting demand or re-feeding electricity into the grid. For grid operators it is necessary to understand the grid impact of the new dynamic energy flows between EV, grid and renewables, and to contrive smart and cost-effective measures counteracting such problems. A research team in the European project NEMO developed a tool suite able to simulate the grid impact of EV charging stations and other emerging consumers like electric heat pumps, and help to tailor technical solutions to different application study cases.

The Danish Case: Taking Advantage of Flexible Power in an Energy System with High Wind Penetration

The western part of Denmark is synchronized with the central European area and the eastern part of Denmark is synchronized with the Nordic system. The different systems in the western and eastern parts are as consequence of the non-synchronized systems divided into two separate price areas. More than 75% of wind power generation capacity is situated in the western part of Denmark.

Renewable Energy Systems

This chapter introduces the concept of smart energy systems. As opposed to the smart grid concept, which takes focuses solely on the electricity sector, smart energy systems includes the entire energy system in its approach to identifying suitable energy infrastructure designs and operating strategies. The typical smart grid focus on the electricity sector often leads to the definition of transmission lines, flexible electricity demands, and electricity storage as the primary means to deal with the integration of fluctuating renewable sources. However, due to the intermittent nature of wind power and similar sources, these measures are not very effective or cost-efficient. The most effective and least-cost solutions are found when the electricity sector is combined with the heating sector and/or the transportation sector. Moreover, the combination of electricity and gas infrastructures may play an important role in the design of future renewable energy systems.