Mitigation of Short-Term Fluctuations in Wind Power Output in a Balancing Area on the Road Toward 100% Renewable Energy

Abstract

The rapid growth of the share of variable renewable energy (VRE) may make it difficult to operate power systems incorporating these sources, due to fluctuations in VRE output. In this paper, we focus on the short-term fluctuations (STFs) in wind power total outputs in several balancing areas (BAs) in Japan. We propose five methods to mitigate STFs, utilizing innate functions of wind turbines that use neither battery systems nor any other additional systems or equipment. In addition, the methods suggested do not require predictions of the wind power output. The efficiency of the method was measured based on the relationship between the mitigation of STFs and associated energy loss. Historical wind power output data from three BAs in Japan (the Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Kyushu BAs) were used to conduct numerical simulations. One of the proposed methods effectively mitigated STFs in the total wind power output. The proposed approach is applicable to solar power and will help overcome challenges on the road toward 100% renewable energy.

Keywords

• Energy system integration
• maximum power point tracking
• ramp rate limitation
• short-term fluctuations
• smoothing effect
• wind power