Kinetic Energy from Distributed Wind Farms: Technical Potential and Implications

This paper presents an assessment of the kinetic energy reserve that could be made available by aggregating a distributed group of wind farms. The size of reserve available for a single turbine and the range of wind speeds where it can be assumed available is computed and compared with the kinetic energy delivered by synchronous generators during typical transients. The size and availability of an aggregated reserve is then computed using wind speed data from 39 locations on and off the shores of the Netherlands. The dependence of this reserve on the area and density of sites being aggregated is presented. Finally, the aggregated reserve is compared on a statistical basis with the energy required for 87 frequency dip incidents in the European continental grid. It is concluded that although improved communications and control would be necessary, the technical potential could meet or exceed the need for inertial response forty percent of the time.