Review of developments and insights into an index system of wind power utilization level

With the rapid development of wind power, countries not only pay attention to wind power quantity, but also to quality or utilization efficiency. Therefore, establishing a set of complete systems and suitable conditions to evaluate the wind power utilization level of China is necessary. The present study summarizes the development status of wind power in China, and then compares the domestic and foreign wind power utilization levels. The results show that the wind power total utilization level of China is equal to that of the United States, the regional "Three North" grid wind power utilization level is commensurate with that of Germany, and "East Mongolia" reaches the world-leading utilization level along with Denmark. In the present study, the diversifying index system of wind power utilization level is also constructed in consideration of the basic indices, development scale indices, and utilization efficiency indices of wind power. The developments in Chinese wind power are reviewed and the future wind power utilization level of China is analyzed using power system integrated optimization model. Research results show that the wind power utilization level must measure many aspects rather than a single index, and we should focus on the coordinated development of wind power and the entire power system. China must improve the overall planning and operation level of the power system, which is the key to developing its wind power industry, to scientifically and orderly promote wind power as well as ensure healthy development while improving the wind power utilization level. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.