Integration of Large Scale Wind Power and the Issue of Flexibility

Abstract: The increase of wind power in the powergrid system is becoming more noticeable. This issomewhat due to climate change and the need formore energy. As wind power is considered a greenrenewable energy resource and its one of the cheapestways of generating power during operation, it hasbecome more of a favorable energy resource.Although, there are certain benefits of using windpower instead of the alternatives, wind power bringsother factors to the power system that must beconsidered.The power grid system operator strives to alwayssustain the balance between the load and the supply inthe power grid system. The more wind power that isintegrated the more dependent on a resilient powergrid system we become. This is due to the fact thatwind power is an unreliable energy resource, as it isalways changing, and unlike other methods ofgenerating power it lacks the control mechanisms andcannot be regulated. The more wind power integratedto the power system the more of a challenge sustainingthe balance becomes. If large amounts of wind powerwere integrated to the power grid system, a distinctdrop in wind power could correspond to a shortage.Therefore, it is necessary to construct a power systemwhich is reliable and can at any time withstanddefinite changes in load and supply, if large amount ofwind power is to be integrated. We define flexibility asthe ability of the power system to always be able tocompensate for the changes in load and supply, tosustain balance within the power system.In this bachelor thesis, the flexibility of a twoareapower system is investigated by using amathematic optimization model. The author will alsobe looking into the impact of carbon policyinstruments, such as carbon tax and carbon cap, onthe power system together with enhancements toincrease the flexibility of the power system.