Role of Wind as a Renewable Energy - Wind Energy Systems for Electric Power Generation - page 9

Fig. 1.6 Schemes of renewable energy support in the EU 25
where producers compete with one another. This method gives less long-time in-
vestment security than the feed-in tariff does.
In the tendering system (Ireland, formerly France) the state places tenders for
the supply of renewable energy, and the electricity is sold at the resulting price. The
additional cost is passed on to the consumers. In spite of theoretical benefits the
scheme tends to unstable conditions for investments.
The European Commission, in a report of December 2005, has assessed the vari-
ous support schemes, but has refrained from proposing a harmonization at this stage.
Nevertheless, it turned out that the feed-in tariffs have currently the best perfor-
mance in the wind energy application.
Looking specifically at Germany, the “Erneuerbare Energien Gesetz” (Renew-
able Energy Act) has succeeded an earlier “Strom Einspeise Gesetz” (Electricity
Supply Act) of 1999. The current law [BRD04], with an amendment in force Jan-
uary 2009, guarantees the owners of wind parks the right to feed any amount of
electrical energy at any time into the public grid at fixed price, provided an agreed
level of power quality is kept. Detailed regulations apply to the different forms of
renewable energy including wind, describing system reference power values and
kWh-prices which decrease with the years elapsing after commissioning. The dif-
ference between the fixed price and the average market price of energy from con-
ventional sources is charged on the consumers by an addition to the basic price. The
law was the result of long political discussion but is currently the accepted basis
for further deliberation in planning the future mix of sources for National energy
production.