Wind energy grid integration in China

The report, based on their joint research, said it is necessary to include technological, managerial and policy aspects into an integrated solution to overcome the difficulties of large-scale integration of wind power to the existing electric power grid.

"The current development of wind energy and power grid provides a solid foundation for solving the technical barriers for wind power integration," it said.

The report said the key to large-scale wind power integration lies in building grid-friendly wind farm plants and a wind power friendly power system whereby the flexibility of the entire system will be improved.

Such "grid-friendly" wind turbines and wind power plant technologies have been introduced to China, it said, adding that the world’s most populous country is making efforts to build a strong smart grid and is one of the forerunners in grid technology.

A senior energy official described the research report as "comprehensive, complete and systematic."

"It will help more people understand the essence of wind power integration to the grid, and facilitate the solution of the issue in China," said Shi Lishan, deputy director of New and Renewable Energy Department of the National Energy Administration, at Tuesday’s press release marking the report’s publication.

The joint research began in February 2010 and lasted for 10 months. Wind power, the trendy energy alternative, has developed vigorously over the past five years. In 2010, China replaced the United States as the nation with the largest installed capacity.

Zhang Guobao, former head of the National Energy Bureau, says the grid-connected wind farm installed capacity is designed to hit 100 million kilowatts and annual electricity output by wind power will reach 190 billion kilowatts hours by the end of 2015.

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