Wind Power Data for Grid Integration Studies

As wind power continues to grow at great speed, the significance of wind power´s effect on the grid also increases. In addition, even conservative estimates show that wind power will continue to grow rapidly. Thus, to responsibly plan ahead for the integration of wind power into a grid that was designed only with schedulable sources in mind, careful studies must be undertaken. The procedures of grid integration studies for wind power are highly contentious and are consequently getting significant attention. However, the crux of studies, the data upon which they are based, has often only been a secondary consideration. This paper will introduce some concepts about the wind power data itself that are important to consider when initiating a wind integration study.