Optimal Geospatial Allocation of Wind Generation Capacity for Grid-Support Objectives

Wind farm sites are traditionally selected to maximize capacity factor. With increasing penetrations levels, the inherent variability of these renewable resources increases system risks, uncertainty and generation costs as the system operator must balance an increasingly variable residual load with the dispatchable fleet. In this investigation, the benefits of optimal geographic siting of wind generation capacity to improve grid support obj ectives is investigated. An optimization methodology is proposed and implemented for scenarios that minimize residual load variance, maximize generation during peak demand periods, and maximize the wind energy capacity factor. Optimization results are presented for a case study of the renewable energy development zones in South Africa. It is shown that, in the context of grid support, substantial benefits can be achieved through the optimized siting of wind farms.