Power Market Simulation Software – Large Scale Wind Integration

The 11th International Workshop on Large-Scale Integration of Wind Power into Power Systems as well as on Transmission Networks for Offshore Wind Power Plants has grown anonymously over the past few years. By 2012, this workshop has developed into one of the premier conferences in its field, providing an excellent platform for discussing the subject of grid integration of wind power into the existing power systems under the renamed workshop title International Workshop on Large-Scale Integration of Wind Power into Power Systems as well as on Transmission Networks for Offshore Wind Power Plants. In 2011, the HVDC transmission solutions studies have emerged again as one of the key topics of the workshop.

Mr Christos Papadopoulos, Regional Manager of Europe and Ms Peny Panagiotakopoulou, PLEXOS Support Consultant for Energy Exemplar Ltd have been awarded the opportunity to present their paper entitled â??Analysing the effects of future generation and grid investments on the Spanish power market, with large scale wind integration, using PLEXOS for Power Systemsâ?? at the 11th Wind Integration Workshop taking place in Lisbon, Portugal on the 13th â?? 15th November 2012. Take the opportunity to â??seeâ?? and experience first-hand the features and applications of PLEXOS®  large scale wind integration model. Build your knowledge and learn more about PLEXOS® Simulator features in Mathematical Programming, Market Analysis, Wind Integration, Electric Price Forecast, Capacity Expansion Planning, Stochastic Optimization and much more. 

Paper Summary:

The growth in wind energy capacity in the EU has averaged 15.6% since 1995, reaching 94 GW in 2011 and estimated to reach 213 GW by 2020 based on National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAP). This consistent growth demonstrates the move by European countries towards a higher proportion of wind energy in their energy mix. In 2011 Spain had a leading role, supplying almost the 16% of the countryâ??s electrical demand from wind. According to the EU directives and the NREAP, Spain’s goal by 2020 is to supply 41% of electricity consumption from RES, 21% of which should derive from wind energy.

Under the current uncertainty of the incentive system and the changing government policies,   and due to Spain having limited interconnections to neighbours, often described as an â??electricity islandâ?, the 2020 target for Spain seems challenging with respect to the economic incentives and operational mechanisms necessary to enable required level of investments in RES generation and grid capacity, and smart-grid technologies and ancillary services capabilities.

The scope of this paper is to present the results of a wind integration case study that analyses and compares the effects of the above investments and their operations on power market prices, grid congestion, ancillary service requirements and generation mix, using a power market simulation and analysis software, called PLEXOS for Power Systems. The case study has 5 models as described in following paragraphs.

The first is a base model of the existing Iberian power market, including current power plants, transmission grid, and interconnection links. The subsequent 4 models look ahead to 2020, representing possible system developments: planned vs. required generation and transmission capacity, interconnection to France and demand side response methods.

The second model includes planned investment of new capacity to be built by 2020, including conventional power plants, renewable projects and grid improvements.

The third model develops the optimal required set of investments in generation, grid, and storage to optimally integrate renewables into the power system and meet the 2020 target.

The fourth model is driven by the present weak cross-border interconnection between Spain and France, and investigates the effect of the planned expansion of 2GW on power flow and market operation in the events of wind fluctuations.

The final model analyses the potential effects of prospective demand response technologies, such as that of large commercial customers.

Overall, the Spanish power market has demonstrated adequate flexibility dealing with high levels of wind penetration to present. Nevertheless, the ambitious renewable target that Spain has set to 2020 requires a well-planned mix of flexible generation plants, demand side response initiatives, and grid investments. 

 

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