Power operator to use wind forecasting

RENNSELAER, New York, US. The New York Independent System Operator will incorporate a centralized wind forecasting system to facilitate the use of wind power in the bulk electricity grid of the state.

The wind forecasting system will be implemented this summer and is one of many steps being taken by the NYISO to incorporate the unique characteristics and variable nature of wind power in dispatching resources to economically serve the electric load. The variable nature of wind generation poses special challenges to grid operators, which must constantly balance the supply and demand for electricity on the grid because electricity cannot be stored efficiently with current technologies.

"As fuel costs climb and the need for emission-free electricity grows, it is important to realize the full potential of renewable energy resources such as wind," explains Karen Antion of NYISO. "NYISO is committed to accommodating the market entry of any and all new technologies and renewable resources."

NYISO has contracted with AWS Truewind of New York to implement the wind forecasting capability. The ability to accurately forecast wind will allow it to gauge how much wind power is likely to be available throughout a given day, enabling maximum use of green power resources while enhancing reliability by anticipating variations in generator output.

To produce the forecasts, windfarm owners will send meteorological data and the NYISO will send power data to AWS Truewind, which then will provide wind power forecasts to the NYISO to integrate wind power in balancing the supply of electricity with consumer demand.

Currently, there are 500 MW of wind capacity in commercial operation in the state, and another 7,000 MW of proposed wind projects are proceeding through the grid interconnection process administered by NYISO.

The American Wind Energy Association says independently-operated wholesale electricity markets, such as those administered by NYISO, are enabling greater amounts of wind power to be integrated into the U.S. grid. Last year, AWEA reported that regions served by independently-operated wholesale electricity markets had 73% of installed wind capacity, despite having only 44% of the country’s wind potential.

"As more wind power projects are connected to the grid, they will require enhanced attention," adds Robert Hiney of NYISO. "The advance forecasts will allow us to accommodate wind power more accurately and reliably."

NYISO has also proposed wind-related revisions in market rules, which are subject to approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The proposals include increasing the amount of wind generation eligible for exemption from under-generation penalties and full compensation for over-generation; requiring wind projects to finance the costs of the centralized forecasting service; and establishing penalties for wind generators who continually fail to deliver meteorological data to the NYISO forecaster.

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