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Wind group creates technical resources for utilities

Wind power has come a long way since the first modern turbines started spinning, and the issues surrounding the resource become more complex with each new project. Fortunately, the Utility Wind Interest Group, an organization dedicated to power providers’ concerns regarding wind issues has grown with the technology.

Utilities, researchers learn from each other

UWIG operates in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Nebraska Public Power District, an early member, became active in the group through the joint EPRI/DOE turbine verification program. “It helped us to understand the issues involved in tying an intermittent power source to the grid,” said NPPD Director Gary Thompson.

The learning process ran both ways in the early days of utility-scale wind development. DOE and the Electric Power Research Institute approached utilities that had, or were planning to add, large wind plants to get the industry perspective on the emerging technology. “They realized that their funded projects needed to factor in utilities’ real-world concerns,” said UWIG Executive Director Charlie Smith.

The utilities, for their part, were looking for a way to gauge the long-term impact wind generation was going to have on their systems. In 1989, the group formed UWIG and their first project, recalled Smith, was to educate themselves. “We held quarterly meetings where wind developers and turbine manufacturers gave presentations, we discussed the issues and we visited sites,” he said.

That first-hand research became UWIG’s first resource publication, a series of brochures addressing wind issues for a utility audience. Topics covered in the series included wind forecasting, integration, land use and European experience with wind. The printings of 10,000 each were snapped up by utilities eager for an information resource dedicated to their concerns. “It was very popular because it filled a real need at the time,” Smith said.

Growing membership faces new issues

UWIG’s membership has grown with the spread of wind power and now boasts 68 members that include industry, government and academic organizations, as well as utilities.

Western joined UWIG in 2000 to support the group’s mission. “It’s a good organization for utilities interested in wind because it gives electric power providers a forum for defining the industry’s needs and requirements,” said Western Renewable Resource Program Manager Randy Manion.

Those needs have grown more specific as the technology has evolved. For members like Great River Energy, the operating cost impact of large wind farms on systems is a leading concern. The Minneapolis power wholesaler is bringing a 100-MW wind facility online this summer and plans to add 400 MW more of wind generation over the next four years.

“Obviously, when you are adding that much generation, integration becomes a significant issue,” said Great River Resource Development Administrator Stan Selander. “You need a way to analyze what that amount of wind is going to do to the system.”

UWIG undertook a sponsored research study to determine the integration cost and operating impact of wind plants on utility systems, which resulted in a landmark study on the topic and stimulated a broad range of follow-on efforts.

Groups focus on hot topics

A research project on distributed wind work, another priority for utilities, created a measurements database, case study library and engineering software tools to determine the impact turbines might have on voltage regulation, flicker and overcurrent protection and safety. Utilities can use the resources for distribution system planning, design and operation with radial distribution feeders.

NPPD participated in both studies and is active in other UWIG user groups. There are four working groups collecting, studying and analyzing information about topics currently of greatest interest to UWIG members. The priority topics are operating impact and integration, distributed wind applications, wind plant modeling and interconnection, and market operation and transmission policy best practices. DOE and NREL are active participants in the groups.

More groups will likely arise as the issues—and the membership—continue to evolve. “More regional transmission operators and international organizations are joining,” said Thompson. “Those entities bring in new questions and new solutions. It’s fascinating to see how the meetings and workshops have grown in scope.”

Utilities will have the opportunity to participate in one of those comprehensive events at UWIG’s upcoming annual meeting and Wind Integration and Interconnection workshop. The meeting and workshop are scheduled for the week of April 11 in Minneapolis, Minn.

Wind is a well-established renewable energy resource, but utilities still have a lot to learn about the technology and issues like interconnection, integration and marketing. The Utility Wind Interest Group is there to help power providers get a jump on the learning curve.

Industry groups like UWIG exist for all types of renewable energy technologies, and are a valuable resource for utilities. Visit the Public Renewables Partnership Web site for a list of organizations and contacts.