- Ensuring safe operation of the NPS and allowing for full balancing of energy in the system with simultaneous maximisation of wind power output is an important issue to discuss in the context of the future of the wind power sector in Poland. Therefore, we had no doubts that it was the impact of wind farms on the power system that should be the subject of the workshops - PWEA President Krzysztof Prasałek stressed.
The idea to invite experts from Western power utilities, which manage green energy – at a much larger scale – for many years proved to be an extraordinary success. The Workshops were attended by almost 100 participants. Apart from presentation of experiences of countries such as Germany or Spain, the lecture of Professor Piotr Kacejko from Lublin University of Technology, who presented the results of studies on the impact of wind generation on the power system in Poland, made a very valuable input in the discussion. Analyses of scientists demonstrate that in 2020 grid loal variability stemming from wind generation will be much lower than the one occurring in a system based purely on conventional units. However, to properly use wind energy, strict technical standards for newly connected wind farms have to be assumed.
Spain was given as an example – a country where 21.5% of total installed capacity comes from wind. Miguel Lorenzo from Red Eléctrica de España explained the attendees how the Control Centre for Renewable Energies (CECRE) works to improve the integration of sources with system operation. Urszula Sankowska, from the German company 50 Hertz Transmission, discussed support scheme for green energy operating in Germany. Cooperation of all subjects operating the German system was stressed; representatives of grid operators hold monthly meetings in ministry of economy to discuss tasks related to the development of renewable energy sources on a current basis.
Although there are differences between Germany, Spain and Poland, information provided during the Workshops are rather optimistic. Dariusz Szymczak from the National Fund for Environmental Protection discussed PLN 45 million allocated in 2012 to the „Construction, extension and reinforcement of a grid to conenct wind power” competition. The competition will be announced already this year. The voice of Zdzisław Koszkul from Polish Electricity Transmission and Distribution Association and Tauron SA, who stressed that wind farm operation brings many benefits also for system operators, was very important.
The summary of the Workshops is clear: we are condemned to wind power. However, “condemned” does not mean “sentenced”; it is an opportunity, not only to fulfil our commitments towards the EU, but also to supply to grid operators energy that perfectly cooperates with other sources.