Large scale integration of wind power in an island utility-an assessment of the likely variability of wind power production in Ireland

The electric power system in Ireland is undergoing a period of great change. The drivers of this change i.e. market liberalization, high growth in demand, shortage of generation, the need for greenhouse gas emissions abatement are briefly described. The status and plans for wind power developments are outlined. The particular difficulties in the large scale integration of wind power into an island power system are emphasized. The methodology of an ongoing study to assess the likely variability of wind power production is described. The results presented show the benefits of geographic dispersion of the wind power generating capacity and the critical importance of the limit set by the power system operators on the ratio of instantaneous wind power to system demand.