Smoothing Methods for Wind Energy

Dear Colleagues,

Due to the stochastic characteristics of wind, wind power causes power fluctuations in power grid networks. Wind power fluctuation is an important issue in power grid networks with high penetration levels of wind energy because it can deteriorate power quality, cause power system stability issues, and reduce the reliability of wind power converters in the power grid network. With increasing penetration level of wind power, this issue has been handled by suppressing the fluctuation of wind power. To do this, many countries had to curtail the output of wind power, which resulted in reduced efficiency of wind power systems. This reduced efficiency can be a problem when considering new wind power projects, limiting the potential growth rate of this technology.

Solving the wind power fluctuation issue and guaranteeing its reliability will enable more power to be produced from this renewable source, consequentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Energy storage system (ESS) technology can be a solution to mitigate the power fluctuation from wind power plants (WPPs). Integrating ESS technology might not be cost-effective if it is utilized solely for the purpose of wind power smoothing at the terminal of a wind turbine generator. However, there is an opportunity to deploy an ESS at a WPP level through size optimization and control coordination with the WPP. The electric vehicle (EV) industry has high growth rate and also represents a promising technology to be integrated into the wind power system for wind power smoothing. Both ESSs and EVs can be effective devices in this regard, especially when cost and business models are considered properly.

Prediction and evaluation of wind power fluctuation are also interesting topics in relation to wind power smoothing. These methods can be applied to various wind smoothing methods, enhancing their effectiveness. In this way, wind power reliability and the overall system efficiency can be improved. Various methods and case studies about wind power smoothing methods are needed for better wind power integration into power systems.

Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Wind power smoothing methods;
• Power smoothing methods for wind/battery hybrid systems;
• Grid impact analyses according to wind power fluctuation;
• Energy storage system control methods for wind power smoothing;
• Evaluation and prediction of wind power fluctuation;
• Wind farm control;
• Case study analyses considering various specific grid systems.

Prof. Chunghun Kim
Dr. Jinho Kim
Guest Editors

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• High penetration of wind energy
• Wind power fluctuation
• Stability
• Smoothing method
• Energy storage system
• Hybrid power system
• Wind farm control
• Control coordination