The need for interconnection reserve in a system with wind generation

This paper describes a study conducted to address the question of how much power transfer capacity should be provided on a meshed transmission system to maintain reliability of supply to consumers in the presence of wind generation. A simulation methodology is presented that includes the modelling of the available wind generation in the longer term across a quite large area taking into account correlations in available power between different locations in that area. A description is given of the results obtained in characterisation of the relationship between the peak load in an area, the total generation capacity in that area, the proportion of it that is wind generation and how much transmission import capability – ‘interconnection reserve’ – is required for a given reliability of supply. Finally, a number of issues faced by power system investment planners are discussed and pointers given to further work to enable transmission utilities to meet the challenges presented by policy makers in respect of development of wind power to meet renewable energy targets