04/08/2006
UK - Wind power intermittency blown out of proportion
BWEA warmly welcomes the publication of a new report from the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) on the costs and impacts of intermittent renewable energy on the UK's electricity network. The most comprehensive assessment of the evidence on intermittency ever undertaken, reviewing over 200 studies on the subject, the report confirms that variable generation from sources such as wind and other renewable technologies need not compromise electricity system reliability at any level of penetration foreseeable in Britain over the next 20 years.
Richard Ford, Head of Grid and Technical Affairs at BWEA, said: "This report puts the final nail in the coffin of the myth that wind cannot be integrated onto our electricity network in significant quantities. There is no technical barrier to wind contributing 20% or more of our power, at a cost that is both quantifiable and reasonable. The clarity provided on the terminology should minimise future confusion on what is a complex topic. I hope that this landmark report will be used as a benchmark for future research and policy direction on intermittency."
Among the key findings are that renewable energy, such as wind power, leads to a direct reduction in carbon dioxide emissions; 100% ‘back up’ for individual renewable sources is unnecessary; and that if wind power were to supply 20% of Britain’s electricity, intermittency costs would be 0.5 - 0.8p per kilowatt an hour (p/kWh) of wind output, with the impact on electricity consumers around 0.1p p/kWh, or 1% of electricity costs. The report’s chief author, Robert Gross, head of UKERC’s Technology and Policy Assessment function, commented: “Reports that suggest it is highly costly, or restricts the role of renewables are out of step with the majority of expert analysis, reflect regional problems that the UK can avoid, or both. However, costs will rise to a degree, and we can quantify the factors responsible.”
For more information please contact:
Alison Hill, Head of Communications BWEA, on 020 7689 1966 / 07956 859 749 or alison@bwea.com
Richard Ford, Head of Grid and Technical Affairs at BWEA, said: "This report puts the final nail in the coffin of the myth that wind cannot be integrated onto our electricity network in significant quantities. There is no technical barrier to wind contributing 20% or more of our power, at a cost that is both quantifiable and reasonable. The clarity provided on the terminology should minimise future confusion on what is a complex topic. I hope that this landmark report will be used as a benchmark for future research and policy direction on intermittency."
Among the key findings are that renewable energy, such as wind power, leads to a direct reduction in carbon dioxide emissions; 100% ‘back up’ for individual renewable sources is unnecessary; and that if wind power were to supply 20% of Britain’s electricity, intermittency costs would be 0.5 - 0.8p per kilowatt an hour (p/kWh) of wind output, with the impact on electricity consumers around 0.1p p/kWh, or 1% of electricity costs. The report’s chief author, Robert Gross, head of UKERC’s Technology and Policy Assessment function, commented: “Reports that suggest it is highly costly, or restricts the role of renewables are out of step with the majority of expert analysis, reflect regional problems that the UK can avoid, or both. However, costs will rise to a degree, and we can quantify the factors responsible.”
For more information please contact:
Alison Hill, Head of Communications BWEA, on 020 7689 1966 / 07956 859 749 or alison@bwea.com
- Source:
- British Wind Energy Association
- Author:
- Edited by Trevor Sievert, Online Editorial Journalist
- Email:
- press@windfair.net
- Keywords:
- wind energy, wind farm, renewable energy, wind power, wind turbine, rotorblade, offshore, onshore
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