A 34-year simulation of wind generation potential for Ireland and the impact of large-scale atmospheric pressure patterns. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cradden, Lucy C.; McDermott, Frank; Zubiate, Laura; Sweeney, Conor; O'Malley, Mark
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 106(2017)
• Page Start: 165
• Page End: 176
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Wind power -- MERRA reanalysis -- North Atlantic Oscillation -- East Atlantic Pattern; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2016.12.079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: To study climate-related aspects of power system operation with large volumes of wind generation, data with sufficiently wide temporal and spatial scope are required. The relative youth of the wind industry means that long-term data from real systems are not available. Here, a detailed aggregated wind power generation model is developed for the Republic of Ireland using MERRA reanalysis wind speed data and verified against measured wind production data for the period 2001–2014. The model is most successful in representing aggregate power output in the middle years of this period, after the total installed capacity had reached around 500 MW. Variability on scales of greater than 6 h is captured well by the model; one additional higher resolution wind dataset was found to improve the representation of higher frequency variability. Finally, the model is used to hindcast hypothetical aggregate wind production over the 34-year period 1980–2013, based on existing installed wind capacity. A relationship is found between several of the production characteristics, including capacity factor, ramping and persistence, and two large-scale atmospheric patterns – the North Atlantic Oscillation and the East Atlantic Pattern. Highlights: Aggregate wind generation model for Ireland using MERRA reanalysis wind speeds. Extensively verified using 14 years of actual wind power output. 34 year hindcast based on current capacity shows relationship with NAO and EA. EA shown to modulate the effect of NAO, increasing capacity factors when negative.