Selling Random Wind

Wind power is inherently random, but we are used to 100 percent reliable or ´firm´ electricity, so reserves are used to convert random wind power into firm electricity. The cost of these reserves is frequently a hidden subsidy to wind power producers. We propose an alternative: package random wind power into electricity with different levels of reliability and sell them at different prices. This variable-reliability market is more efficient than the current firm-electricity market, and may require lower subsidy. However, we have to think of electricity differently. We also explore interesting differences between the variable-reliability and related real-time markets.