AbstractsPhysics

Global environmental concerns associated with conventional energy generation have led to the rapid growth of wind energy applications in electric power systems. Growing demand for electrical energy and concerns associated with limited reserves of fossil fuels are also responsible for the development and increase in wind energy utilization. Many jurisdictions around the world have set high wind penetration targets in their energy generation mix. The contribution of wind farms to the overall system reliability is limited by the uncertainty in power output from the highly variable energy source. High wind penetration can lead to high risk levels in power system reliability and stability. In order to maintain the system stability, wind energy dispatch is usually restricted and energy storage is considered to smooth out the fluctuations and improve supply continuity. The research work presented in this thesis is focused on developing reliability models for evaluating the benefits associated with wind power and energy storage in electric power generating systems. An interactive method using a sequential Monte Carlo simulation technique that incorporates wind farm and energy storage operating strategies is developed and employed in this research. Different operating strategies are compared and the resulting benefits are evaluated. Important system impacts on the reliability benefits from wind power and energy storage are illustrated. Hydro facilities with energy storage capability can alleviate the impact of wind power fluctuations and also contribute to system adequacy. A simulation technique for an energy limited hydro plant and wind farm coordination is developed considering the chronological variation in the wind, water and the energy demand. The IEEE four-state model is incorporated in the developed technique to recognize the intermittent operation of hydro units. Quantitative assessment of reliability benefits from effective utilization of wind and water resources are conducted through a range of sensitivity studies. The information provided and the examples illustrated in this thesis should prove useful to power system planners and wind developers to assess the reliability benefit from utilizing wind energy and energy storage and the coordination between wind and hydro power in electric power systems.