Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
he applied insight is that strategic network planning can yield signii-
cant savings in terms of connecting wind farms with the national power
grid. he Danish case illustrates how strategic planning at the national level
goes beyond identifying wind power potential. Efective strategic planning
looks to earmark sites that tie efectively together and avoids areas where
community opposition is more likely.
10.3.5 Technological Factor 5: Nationwide Potential
Estimates of realizable wind power potential inluence the level of politi-
cal enthusiasm for supporting wind power. As the Danish and German case
studies illustrated, a key rationale for robust support for wind power stems
from comprehensive national wind power potential studies which indicate
that, if fully realized, wind power could make a major contribution to the
national energy supply. On the other hand, as the Japanese case study exem-
pliied, estimates of relatively low wind power potential (in comparison to
national electricity demand) tend to fuel political apathy toward wind power
development. However, as the Japanese case study further highlighted, wind
power potential estimates tend to exhibit political bias. Depending on the
vested interests of the parties undertaking a survey, wind power potential
estimates can vary signiicantly. In a recent case study done on wind power
in Taiwan, it was discovered that competing wind power potential estimates
put forth by the national utility and a prominent wind power developer devi-
ated by 360%, suggesting that the nature of assumptions that go into realiz-
able wind power potential estimates can signiicantly alter the results.
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he main lesson that policymakers should glean from this evidence is that
whenever wind power potential studies are commissioned, policymakers
should be sure to ensure that the estimate's assumptions are clearly expli-
cated and vetted for accuracy. Critical elements that inluence wind power
potential estimates include assumptions relating to: i) the size of wind tur-
bines being installed, ii) capacity factor estimates, iii) the spacing of wind
turbines within wind farms, and iv) land use assumptions.
10.3.6 Technological Factor 6: Electricity Sector Structure
he manner in which the electricity sector is structured directly inluences
the ability of wind power developers to sell wind power into the grid. Under
extreme situations, when utilities are monopolies, the prospects of wind
power development depend signiicantly on the perspective held by the
