China - State Grid Energy Research Institute and Vestas wind energy coorperation

On 18 October 2011, State Grid Energy Research Institute (SGERI) and Vestas China jointly presented a book publication named “Integrated Solution Strategies for Coordinated Wind Power and Grid Development”. The book includes a comprehensive and systematic discussion on how to overcome the difficulties of large scale integration of wind power to the grid by applying an integrated solution encompassing technology, management and policy. The publication provides a valuable platform for all stakeholders involved in wind power development and utilization to discuss and resolve grid integration issues in China.

Due to the rapid growth in installations and concentrated development of wind power in China, grid development and the operation of the entire power system are facing unprecedented challenges. Thus, catalysing a coordinated development of wind power and the power grid is a pressing issue. Against this backdrop, a 10 month long research project was started in February 2010, conducted by the think tank SGERI under State Grid Corporation of China and Vestas, the world’s largest wind power solution provider with rich experience from over 60 countries. Both parties completed a research report consisting of three important aspects: international experiences, technical proposals, and finally an integrated strategy. The research activities included field research, case analyses, technical tests, and theoretical verifications. Subsequently, both parties condensed the essentials in a book with the title “Integrated Solution Strategies for Coordinated Wind Power and Grid Development” to meet the interests from industry professionals. The book describes the characteristics of wind power and the power system, provides an in-depth review of grid-friendly wind power plants and wind power friendly power systems, and finally presents ideas on an integrated solution for increasing the absorption of wind power to the grid.

The joint research indicates:
• It is necessary to include the technological, managerial and policy aspects into an integrated solution to overcome the difficulties of large scale integration of wind power to the grid. International practices prove that appropriate economic incentives schemes are a prerequisite for improving the applied technology and managing the flexibility of the power system on the supply, transmission and demand sides. This will again improve the power system’s absorption of renewable energy sources, including wind power.
• The current development of wind power and the power grid provide a solid foundation for solving the technical barriers for large-scale wind power integration to the grid. “Grid-friendly” wind turbines and wind power plant technologies exist and are applied abroad – these technologies have already been introduced in China. With regard to building a “wind power friendly power system”, China is already building a strong smart grid, and is one of the forerunners in grid technology.
• Currently, the key to large-scale wind power integration lies in building grid-friendly wind power plants and a wind power friendly power system whereby the flexibility of the entire system will be improved. Additionally, under the prerequisite of being able to provide the best conditions for the environment and the economy, and providing the minimum cost of energy, China should balance the benefit for various stakeholders involved in wind power development and utilization with supportive political and managerial mechanisms.

Ms. Jiang Liping, the project leader of the joint research and the chief editor of the publication, Vice President of SGERI says, “The healthy development of the wind power industry requires the efforts of wind turbine manufacturers, developers and grid corporations, who all have reached a shared understanding based on the principles of an unbiased and natural development. Thus, when talking about wind power and grid there should not be a distinction between ‘you’ and ‘me’, but it is ‘us’. The joint research by SGERI and Vestas comes at the right time. We are very hopeful that all stakeholders will proactively participate in the discussion.”

Jens Tommerup, President of Vestas China says, “First of all, I am very proud of this achievement. It is vital that the industry develops sustainably and in a coordinated way, and we are very delighted to join forces with State Grid to deliver a scientifically sound piece of research shedding light on the opportunities for steering the industry in a healthy direction. Vestas has rich experience from many countries we can share, and this is what we have done with this project. The technologies needed to solve the current challenges at the wind turbine and wind power plant level are ready to be applied.”

Mr. Shu Yinbiao, deputy General Manager of State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) says, “As a state-owned enterprise responsible for construction and operation of the grid, and for providing electricity to end consumers, SGCC has always supported wind and other renewable energy source as an inseparable part of our duties. The joint research of ’Integrated Solution Strategies for coordinated wind power and electricity grid’ by SGERI and Vestas represents SGCC’s fundamental philosophy behind our promotion of wind power. Furthermore, in solving developmental issues, our principle is to take point of departure in practical issues and holistically considering the benefit of society. I believe the research results will help stakeholders deepen their insights of the conflicts and problems of wind power development, and will provide sound support for future policy making for a coordinated development of wind power and the power grid.”

Mr. Peter C. Brun, Group Senior Vice President of Vestas says, “Wind power makes up a significant share of the European power supply. The key to the European success story has been a close cooperation between governments, grid operators and industry players such as Vestas. We have to draw on each other’s experience to ensure a sustainable co-development of grid and wind power. And we have to jointly identify the technical and regulatory solutions needed to move the industry in the right direction. As a leading industry player, we are very pleased to draw on our experience and utilize our international network for this research dedicated to China”.

The joint research received support from the supervising government bodies and many industry experts. Mr. Shi Lishan, Deputy Director of New and Renewable Energy Department of NEA; Mr. Jesper Kamp, Commercial Counselor and the head of commercial department, Royal Danish Embassy in China; Mr. Klaus Rave, Chairman of Global Wind Energy Council; Mr. He Dexin, President of Chinese Wind Energy Association (CWEA); Mr. Peter Jorgensen, Vice President, International Relations, Energinet.dk, Denmark; Mr. Zhao Qingbo, Director of Dept. of Strategic Development and Planning, SGCC attended the launch ceremony, and expressed their recognition of the joint efforts of SGERI and Vestas on resolving wind power integration challenges. Mr. Shi Lishan says in his speech, “The research conducted by Vestas and SGERI is the most comprehensive, most consummate, systematic and advanced research report on grid integration. The publication will surely help more people understand the essence of wind power integration to the grid, and facilitates the resolution of the issue in China.”

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