The article Wind power at 10 p.m.: Why three gigawatts of electricity disappear in seconds appeared first in the online magazine BASIC thinking. With our newsletter UPDATE you can start the day well informed every morning.
Every evening at 10 p.m. sharp, something unusual happens in the European power grid: the frequency fluctuates to critical limits. The background is thousands of wind turbines that are being throttled down due to noise protection regulations. This has worked well so far, but it could become a problem. But there is a simple solution.
According to one, in the past few days there have been increasing numbers taz report strong frequency fluctuations in the European power grid. These deviations almost reached the critical limit of 0.2 Hertz. From this value onwards, automatic safety shutdowns sometimes occur, which endangers general network stability. The phenomenon occurs particularly on windy days.
What is particularly striking is the exact time of occurrence at 10 p.m. The reason for this is the noise protection regulations for technical systems that apply in many regions. Because at this hour the operators carry out the night-time lowering of wind turbines.
Frequency fluctuations in the power grid: 3 gigawatts less in seconds – which happens at 10 p.m
Correctly means: The performance of the systems is reduced by a fifth so that noise emissions for residents are reduced. However, the almost simultaneous throttling of thousands of wind turbines reduces the power fed into the power grid almost immediately.
In Germany, wind power covers almost all of the demand when there is a lot of wind. This moment leads to an immediate deficit of almost three gigawatts. This amount corresponds to the output of two large coal-fired power plants or modern nuclear reactors.
The available reserve in the power grid is also at this level. This reserve normally compensates for fluctuations in the system. The frequency fluctuation could become dangerous if another problem occurs at the same time somewhere else.
Is 15 minutes enough to solve the problem?
The slump could be even greater in the future as Europe wants to further expand wind power. However, the problem remains manageable as long as the rules are adjusted promptly. Essentially, electricity demand drops before 10 p.m.
Therefore, night-time reduction has no negative impact on the general security of supply. Only switching off at the same time causes the unnecessary fluctuation. Even extending the throttling to 15 minutes would be enough to maintain network stability and at the same time comply with noise protection.
Christoph Maurer, managing director of the Aachen-based consulting company Consentec, told the taz: “If the shutdowns were extended over a quarter of an hour, the European electricity system could handle it well.”
The technical solution is on the table and is extremely simple. But the fact that noise protection regulations would have to be adjusted in several federal states at the same time makes it politically more difficult than technically necessary. Given the planned expansion of wind power, Europe will have to make this adjustment sooner or later – although sooner would be much better.
Also interesting:
- Simply explained: How does a wind turbine actually work?
- E20: What you need to know about the new organic fuel
- Pseudo-noise and infrasound: No evidence for wind turbine myths
- Buying a used electric car: This is what you should pay attention to
The post Wind power at 10 p.m.: Why three gigawatts of electricity disappear in seconds appeared first on BASIC thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard or subscribe to our newsletter UPDATE.
As a Tech Industry expert, I am well aware of the challenges and complexities involved in harnessing wind power for electricity generation. While wind power is a renewable and clean source of energy, it is also inherently variable and dependent on weather conditions.
At 10 p.m., when three gigawatts of electricity disappear in seconds, it is likely due to a sudden drop in wind speed or a change in wind direction causing a decrease in power output from wind turbines. This can lead to a significant loss of generation capacity and strain on the grid, potentially causing disruptions in the supply of electricity.
To address this issue, it is important to implement advanced forecasting technologies and grid management systems that can anticipate and mitigate fluctuations in wind power generation. Additionally, integrating energy storage solutions such as batteries or pumped hydro storage can help store excess energy during times of high wind output and release it when needed to stabilize the grid.
Overall, while wind power has great potential as a clean energy source, it is crucial to develop innovative solutions to manage its variability and ensure a reliable and stable electricity supply.
Credits