Assessing the reliability impacts of wind energy

Electrical output of wind electric conversion systems (WECS) is stochastic and has characteristics significantly different from those of conventional (coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear and hydro) generation units. However, their entry into global power grids is expanding rapidly due to a variety of considerations. Assessing the impacts of wind energy on the overall reliability of the power system continues to be an important endeavor. It can range from detailed complex computations to simplified approaches that yield acceptable and useable results. This presentation will succinctly summarize the activities undertaken at Oklahoma State University in this area dating back to the late seventies.