Industrial and Systems
As a visiting faculty member at the Argonne National Laboratory
in Chicago, Auburn’s Jorge Valenzuela is working with scientists
at the research Center for Energy, Environmental and Economic
Systems Analysis (CEEESA) on modeling the economics of
wind energy generation. To provide effective price signals for
the development of wind energy, Valenzuela is developing a
probabilistic model to evaluate the effects of high penetration of
wind energy on electricity prices and estimate wind-farm revenues
from wind power generation.
Wind energy is considered one of the cleanest renewable energy
sources that can compete economically with conventional fuel
sources for electric power generation. Wind energy produces no
greenhouse gases, has no effect on climate change and produces
little environmental impact. Understanding economic impacts
of wind energy on electricity markets is important due to the
increasing penetration of wind power in the generation mix of
power systems.
Government tax incentives and wind turbines have made wind
energy technology economically attractive to electric power
utilities. However, due to the intermittency of the wind, planning
and operating a wind farm is challenging. The uncertain behavior
of wind obligates systems operators to keep conventional
generating units running to meet the actual demand for electricity.
- Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
- Auburn, AL 36849
- Phone: 334-844-2308