Patent ID: 8185249

Claim:
A wind farm comprising: a power collection system; at least one wind turbine generator coupled to the power collection system; at least one energy storage device coupled to the power collection system; a sensor coupled to the power collection system for measuring a rate of power production of the wind farm; a plant controller coupled to the at least one wind turbine generator, the at least one energy storage device and the sensor, the plant controller causing the at least one energy storage device to store energy in the event that the rate of power production of the wind farm exceeds an output requirement and causing the at least one energy storage device to discharge energy in the event that the rate of power production of the wind farm is less than the output requirement of the wind farm; wherein the plant controller provides a signal to a utility that indicates a ramp rate availability that is calculated based on a relation between the possible power of the wind farm, a power set point and a charge status of the energy storage device.