The Examination Of Different Energy Storage Methods For Wind Power Integration

19721212

Abstract:
Electricity is a typical a non-storable commodity. The balance between demand and supply has to be maintained at all times. Since both electricity generation and demand are never fully controllable and cannot be perfectly forecasted, the balancing of the system requires considerable effort from all the parties involved in the delivery of electricity, especially with the integration of wind power. Wind power is considered to be an intermittent energy source, referring to its variable and uncertain character. Energy storage can offer cost-effective options to cope with the variability and uncertainty of wind power. Two storage options, based on current or near-term technology are analysed in this paper. The first option consists of the use of pumped hydro storage. Secondly the storage of wind as heat through heat pumps and heat storage is being examined. Using a Mixed Integer Linear Problem (MILP) model for Unit Commitment and dispatch of electricity, the two storage options can be evaluated in terms of cost effectiveness and GHG emissions saving. Pumped hydro storage can be used as peak shaving or as balancing service. A good balance needs to be found between both. When storing wind power output as heat, through heat pumps, the wind turbines have to be seen as replacement for conventional heating systems rather than as alternatives for electricity generation. A significant reduction of GHG emissions can be achieved through a good use of the wind-heat pump-storage combination. The storage options show that balancing demand and supply in systems with wind power integration is not an insurmountable task and that useful solutions are already available now.