A new computational algorithm for the calculation of maximum wind energy penetration in autonomous electrical generation systems

The entirety of Aegean Sea Islands, including Crete. is characterized during the last decade by a considerable annual increase of the electrical power demand exceeding the 5% in annual basis. This continuous amplifying electricity consumption is hardly fulfilled by several outmoded internal combustion engines usually at a very high operational cost. On the other hand most of the islands possess high wind potential that may substantially contribute in order to meet the corresponding load demand. However, in this case some wind energy absorption problems related with the collaboration between wind parks and the local electricity production system cannot be neglected. In this context, the present study is devoted to realistically estimating the maximum wind energy absorption in autonomous electrical island networks. For this purpose a new reliable and integrated numerical algorithm is developed, using the available information of the corresponding electricity generation system, in order to calculate the maximum acceptable wind power contribution in the system. under the normal restrictions that the system manager imposes. The proposed algorithm is successfully compared with existing historical data as well as with the results of a recent investigation based almost exclusively on the existing wind parks energy production. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.