ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF WIND GENERATION ON SYSTEM OPERATIONS AT XCEL ENERGY - NORTH AND BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION

Electric generating resources that are part of the interconnected power system must be controlled so that their aggregate output matches the electric load at any given time. Frequency deviations and unscheduled tie-line transfers between control areas are indicators of a mismatch between load and generation. Reliable and economic operation of interconnected power systems relies on multiple layers of automatic control systems to insure that generator output follows the changes in load. At the same time, these systems must keep the operation of individual system components within safe limits and maintain adequate security margins for likely contingencies.