Abstract
In May of 2004, the IEA Wind Implementing Agreement (IA) established R&D Task 24,
“Integration of Wind and Hydropower Systems.” Australia, Canada, Finland, Norway,
Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States joined Task 24 with the goal of collaborating in
the study of wind integration in a variety of electrical system configurations (load,
generation, and transmission); hydro system configurations and characteristics; and market
and operational configurations. Representing these countries were utilities and research
organizations with the intent to understand the potential for and limiting factors in
integrating wind into systems with hydropower. Case studies that analyze the feasibility,
benefits, detriments, and costs of specific wind-hydro integration projects were the
mechanism through which the goals of the task were addressed. The purpose of this article
is to summarize the framework within which these studies were performed, and to present
the key results and the general conclusions of the Task.
“Integration of Wind and Hydropower Systems.” Australia, Canada, Finland, Norway,
Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States joined Task 24 with the goal of collaborating in
the study of wind integration in a variety of electrical system configurations (load,
generation, and transmission); hydro system configurations and characteristics; and market
and operational configurations. Representing these countries were utilities and research
organizations with the intent to understand the potential for and limiting factors in
integrating wind into systems with hydropower. Case studies that analyze the feasibility,
benefits, detriments, and costs of specific wind-hydro integration projects were the
mechanism through which the goals of the task were addressed. The purpose of this article
is to summarize the framework within which these studies were performed, and to present
the key results and the general conclusions of the Task.