Integrating wind turbines into the orcas island distribution system: study results

摘要

This pape summarizes the results of a study that investigates the use of wind turbines to defer Orcas Power and Light Company (OPALCO) 25-kV distribution circuit upgrades. In this study wind data have been collected for two years through 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 winter peak seasons at the Mt. Constitution site, and compared with the results of a previous one year study to establish wind speed correlation with projected extreme peak load conditions. In addition, example high-resolution one-minute and ten-minute wind speed data were also gathered and analyzed to determine potential voltage fluctuations resulting from variations in wind farm output on the OPALCO distribution system. The results of this work indicate that adding a MW-scale wind farm at Mt. Constitution is a feasible alternative to upgrading the 25 kV Lopez-Eastsound circuit to 69 kV in 2000.