UWIG Organizes Study on Impacts of Distributed Wind on Utility Systems

Project to develop tools to analyze small-scale wind generation on utility distribution networks

Arlington, Va. - February 19, 2003 - Recognizing the emerging popularity of wind as a distributed generation application, a utility wind industry group has initiated a project to study the impacts of small-scale wind generation on utility distribution networks. The Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG), a non-profit corporation whose mission is to accelerate the appropriate integration of wind power into the electric system, is providing leadership, technical review, and funding for the project, which is receiving financial support from a combination of utility industry groups, research organizations, state governments and agencies, and individual utilities.

The project's primary goal is the development of a set of tools to aid utility distribution and planning engineers in analyzing wind generation at the distribution system level. The tools will consist of technical information resources and a set of engineering software application tools. These tools, or applets, will aid users in analyzing the various impacts of distributed wind turbines on utility distribution feeders. The tools are intended for use by technical personnel who might not have specialized expertise with wind turbines or generation, but need to determine the impact wind turbines might have on voltage regulation, power quality, feeder and equipment protection, and system safety.

Brad Reeve, President of UWIG and General Manager of Kotzebue Electric Association, noted the importance of the project for the utility industry, especially for public power utilities and rural electric cooperatives: "Because many of the high wind resource areas are primarily rural, most existing and planned distributed wind turbines are connected to smaller utility distribution networks. These utilities often have fewer resources to analyze the potential impacts of wind generation on their systems. Their distribution engineers often perform many different functions and have limited time to investigate, interpret and apply relevant industry and regulatory guidelines. These folks need tools that are easy to use and integrate well with their existing engineering tools."

The UWIG has contracted with Arlington, Va.-based Electrotek Concepts, a power systems engineering consulting company, to carry out the project. The company previously conducted a UWIG-sponsored study to analyze the impact of wind generation on utility system operations. Along with previous experience with wind, Electrotek is able to provide the UWIG with the software development expertise needed to supply the analytical tools.

According to J. Charles Smith, UWIG Executive Director, the group recognized the unique issues that distributed wind raises for utilities: "Distributed generation is attracting more attention from utilities and customers as an alternative power supply source. Deregulation, increasing demand, and barriers to building new generation and transmission infrastructure are all contributing to the increased emphasis on DG. Although wind generation is primarily viewed as a bulk generation resource, a growing number of wind turbines are being deployed on distribution systems. Depending on wind turbine capacity in relation to feeder load, the turbine can have an impact on the feeder operation. In addition, wind power raises concern because of its variable output. Along with typical DG interconnection issues, wind presents an increased potential for power quality-related problems such as voltage regulation and flicker. Better understanding of these issues is vital to wind being considered as a viable DG option."

The Utility Wind Interest Group was established in 1989 to provide a forum for the critical analysis of wind technology for utility applications and to serve as a source of credible information on the status of wind technology and deployment. The group holds technical wind forums and engages in other technical program activities through the coordinated efforts and actions of its members. It operates in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and its National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which provide co-funding for the group. The UWIG currently has 53 members spanning 21 states, including investor-owned, public power, and rural electric cooperative utilities, as well as associate member corporate, government, and academic organizations. For more information, visit the UWIG web site at www.uwig.org.

Utilities or other organizations interested in participating in this project should contact UWIG for details.