Risø DTU helps Ireland get more wind energy

It is indeed very windy in Ireland. However, the green island is isolated from its surroundings when it comes to energy, having only one single transmission line that runs from the island to Scotland. This provides a challenge to the flexibility of the electricity system. See the press release from the Irish Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources here.

Calculations on Risø’s computer model Wilmar
The Irish study consisted of several substudies with Senior Scientist Peter Meibom from Risoe being the project leader of the substudy investigating the detailed operation of the power system. The substudy was carried out by means of the computer model Wilmar.

”We made calculations on the interaction between the Irish power stations and the wind power plants. We wanted to find the cheapest way of running the electricity system considering expenses for fuel, expenses for starting and stopping the power stations and expenses for CO2 emission permissions, says Peter Meibom and goes on:

”We reached the conclusion that sometimes it is cheapest to use the wind as a reserve in the energy system and turn it down a little once in a while and later quickly turn it on again when there is a lack of electricity. Actually it is cheaper this way because you avoid starting up a new power station.”

The development of the computer model Wilmar has been headed by Risø with support from EU’s fifth framework programme. The aim was to examine the technical and economic aspects of introducing large, quantities of fluctuating wind energy to a liberalized electricity system. Further information on Wilmar.

Supwind takes Wilmar further
The work will be continued in the EU project Supwind. Risø will take part in developing a new planning tool for the system operators in order for them to be able to plan from day to day how much reserve power they have to reserve from the electricity companies. It has to be planned carefully as it is expensive to reserve power.

Supwind is supported with funds from EU’s sixth framework programme. More on Supwind.