The Effects of Vehicle-to-Grid Systems on Wind Power Integration in California

Renewable energy portfolio standards have already caused a large increase in the amount of electricity produced from renewable sources and this amount is expected to increase as the policy target dates draw closer. One technology that has benefited greatly from these standards is wind energy. The uncertainty inherent in wind electricity production dictates that nearly equal amounts of conventional generation resources be kept in reserve should wind electricity output should suddenly dip. The introduction of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles into the personal transportation fleet presents an interesting possible solution to this problem through the concept of vehicle-to-grid power. The ability of these vehicles to increase the wind production fraction for the California market when high levels of wind energy are present in the supply portfolio is examined.