Abstract
The most important characteristics of wind turbines and wind plants that will impact their ability to be effectively integrated into the electrical grid on a large scale without significantly affecting the grid's reliability are power quality, low‐voltage ride‐through, reactive power control, communication with grid operators and wind forecasting. The wind integration studies point to the need for accurate forecasts of wind generation as a means to minimize the costs of wind integration and to mitigate the potential for wind generation to reduce the reliability and stability of the electric grid. Addition of one or more large wind plants in a region does create new challenges for grid operators and can result in additional costs to regional balancing authorities. Keys to ensuring successful integration of large‐scale wind generation include use of wind forecasting and continued dialogue between electric utilities, grid operators, turbine vendors, and wind plant owners/operators.
This is a book chapter in Wind Energy Essentials: Societal, Economic, and Environmental Impacts.