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Modelling the potential for wind energy integration on China’s coal-heavy electricity grid

Author

Listed:
  • Michael R. Davidson

    (China Energy and Climate Project, Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Da Zhang

    (China Energy and Climate Project, Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    China Energy and Climate Project, Institute of Energy, Environment, and Economy, Tsinghua University)

  • Weiming Xiong

    (China Energy and Climate Project, Institute of Energy, Environment, and Economy, Tsinghua University)

  • Xiliang Zhang

    (China Energy and Climate Project, Institute of Energy, Environment, and Economy, Tsinghua University
    Research Center for Contemporary Management, Tsinghua University)

  • Valerie J. Karplus

    (China Energy and Climate Project, Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Expanding the use of wind energy for electricity generation forms an integral part of China’s efforts to address degraded air quality and climate change. However, the integration of wind energy into China’s coal-heavy electricity system presents significant challenges owing to wind’s variability and the grid’s system-wide inflexibilities. Here we develop a model to predict how much wind energy can be generated and integrated into China’s electricity mix, and estimate a potential production of 2.6 petawatt-hours (PWh) per year in 2030. Although this represents 26% of total projected electricity demand, it is only 10% of the total estimated physical potential of wind resources in the country. Increasing the operational flexibility of China’s coal fleet would allow wind to deliver nearly three-quarters of China’s target of producing 20% of primary energy from non-fossil sources by 2030.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael R. Davidson & Da Zhang & Weiming Xiong & Xiliang Zhang & Valerie J. Karplus, 2016. "Modelling the potential for wind energy integration on China’s coal-heavy electricity grid," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 1(7), pages 1-7, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:1:y:2016:i:7:d:10.1038_nenergy.2016.86
    DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2016.86
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