Current Activities

Annex X: Integration of Wind into Hydropower Systems

Background

The IEA Wind Implementing Agreement has formed an Annex on the integration of wind and hydropower systems, and proposed that the Hydropower Implementing Agreement form a similar Annex. The Hydropower IA Annex on Integration of Wind into Hydropower Systems has some common goals, and some discrete to the Hydropower industry. Working together with the Wind Annex, the Hydropower Annex has the objective of identifying ways that hydropower can enhance the development of wind energy, while increasing its own value and effectiveness.

Because of the potential for synergistic operation of wind and hydropower facilities, many countries are beginning to investigate the opportunity to integrate wind and hydropower systems in order to optimize their output through coordinated operation. The hope is to realize such benefits as lowering the cost of ancillary services required by wind energy, taking advantage of the built-in energy storage available at hydro facilities, the opportunity to more effectively utilize existing hydro and transmission facilities, the potential for improving hydrologic operations, and an overall energy supply portfolio that is more diverse, robust, and cleaner. Case studies that analyze the feasibility, benefits, detriments, and costs of specific wind-hydro integration projects will likely be the mechanism through which the feasibility of wind-hydro integration is demonstrated. Though specific wind-hydro integration projects may differ substantially, there are many characteristics common to each. Consequently, there may be significant advantages in forming an international collaboration designed to share information, analysis techniques, and case study results.

Objectives

The primary purposes of this Annex are to conduct cooperative research concerning the generation, transmission, and economics of integrating wind and hydropower systems, and to provide a forum for information exchange.

The following are specific objectives of the Annex:

• Establishment of an international forum for exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences related to the integration of wind and hydropower technologies within electricity supply systems.
• As it pertains to wind and hydropower integration, share information among participating members concerning grid integration, transmission issues, hydrological and hydropower impacts, markets and economics, and simplified modeling techniques.
• Through information sharing and exchange of ideas, identify technically and economically feasible system configurations for integrating wind and hydropower, including the effects of market structure on wind-hydro system economics with the intention of identifying the most effective market structures
• Document case studies pertaining to wind and hydropower integration, and create an on-line library of reports.

Activities

The Hydropower Annex X has worked jointly with the Wind Implementing Agreement’s Wind/Hydro Annex, to undertake research and studies on such issues as grid integration, hydrologic impacts, market and economic issues and simplified modeling of wind-hydro integration potential. Some key issues of specific interest to hydropower generators include the simulation of water resource, reservoir storage and wind forecasting to optimize utilization, social and environmental issues arising from integration and the value of the ancillary services that hydropower can provide. While integration of wind energy (new and existing developments) into existing hydropower and other systems is the initial focus of the Annexes, the Hydropower group will also consider the synergies of developing new hydropower in joint hydro-wind developments.

Final Report

The final report has been delayed, but is expected to be released in 2011.

More information

For more information about the Wind/Hydro Integration Annex contact the IEA Hydro Secretary.