1. A unit commitment analysis of wind power in the British and Irish wholesale electricity markets
- Author
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Higgins, Paraic John
- Subjects
333.793 - Abstract
The hypothesis of this research is that the integration of European electricity markets and increasing levels of stochastic wind power, both onshore and offshore, will have significant impacts on the unit commitment in the British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangement (BETTA) market and Single Electricity Market (SEM) of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. A novel application of the unit commitment modelling made it possible to accurately conduct four in-depth analyses of wind power integration in the BETTA and SEM from both a detailed technical and economic perspective. First, this research has shown that the ability of the Irish system operator to counter-trade on the interconnectors to the BETTA is crucial to the dispatching of available wind power. Second, the analysis demonstrated the unit commitment problems if a wind penetration limit is required to prevent power system issues in the BETTA in 2020. Third, three methods to reduce the impact increased operating reserve requirements might have on the dispatching of wind power in 2030 were analysed. Finally, the research also quantifies the impact that each PCI has on the unit commitment of the SEM and BETTA in 2030 arid ranks each PCI in order of potential benefit to the SEM, BETTA and combined SEM and BETTA. The key findings of this thesis can assist policy makers, regulators and system operators to achieve EU renewable energy targets, improve future market structures and maximise wind power integration. This analysis is crucial to all key stakeholders in the BETTA and SEM for attracting continued investment in wind power development and thus achieving the EU renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
- Published
- 2016