Basic rules are given to estimate the wind energy potential, and the influence of the local wind regime on the energy production is explained. Finally, some recently developed tools, such as wind atlases and siting computer programmes, are treated. This lecture explains the working principles of grid-connected wind turbines. A minimum technological knowledge is indispensable to understand the possibilities and limitations of wind as an energy source. The integration of wind turbines in a national electricity infrastructure involves technical, legal and economic aspects.
Technical aspects are the wind turbine characteristics, grid layout and operating strategies.
National legislation defines the structure of the electricity producing and distributing sector, tariffs and types of contracts. Economy includes the tariffs, production costs, and possibly incentives for renewable energy sources. The lecturer will explain the required conditions for grid connection of large wind turbines. Design of wind farms Aspects of designing wind farms are treated, such as micro-siting, wind farm array options, wake effects, etc. A pre-investment study is carried out in order to decide whether a wind energy project is feasible or not.