Market reports
Performance and wind resource assessment
It can be challenging to predict the annual energy production of distributed wind projects accurately, especially small wind projects, at the time of their installation. The Tools Assessing Performance (TAP) project has identified and is working to address a variety of contributing factors that lead to the mischaracterization of distributed wind energy production in energy estimation tools. These factors include the underlying wind resource models, loss assumptions, and representation of the interannual wind resource.
The multi-laboratory TAP project aims to reduce uncertainty in distributed wind production estimates through improved mesoscale wind resource datasets, bias characterization and correction, and obstacle detection and incorporation into flow models.
For more information about TAP, please visit the TAP project webpage.
To learn more about TAP research results, please see the following publications:
- Evaluation of obstacle modelling approaches for resource assessment and small wind turbine siting: case study in the northern Netherlands
- Validation of wind resource and energy production simulations for small wind turbines in the United States
- Bias Characterization, Vertical Interpolation, and Horizontal Interpolation for Distributed Wind Siting Using Mesoscale Wind Resource Estimates.
Wind turbines in microgrids, distribution networks, and hybrid systems
The Microgrids, Infrastructure Resilience, and Advanced Controls Launchpad (MIRACL) project research was focused on easing the integration of distributed wind into microgrids, isolated grids, distribution networks, and hybrid power plants and systems. The multi-laboratory project achieved this by improving valuation and power system modeling techniques, developing advanced turbine control capabilities, and providing tools to increase the resilience of distributed wind infrastructure.
Building on the MIRACL project goals and valuation framework, the On-Site Wind for Rural Load Centers project focuses on evaluating rural energy needs and providing tools and resources for communities considering distributed wind in microgrids, distribution networks, and hybrid systems (DW-hybrid). The Energy Equity Opportunities in Distributed Wind Hybrid Systems for Rural Loads report defines energy equity opportunities achievable with DW-hybrid systems for rural loads by the core principles of energy justice. The report also proposes an equity framework for DW-hybrid systems. A catalog of equity resources, metrics, technology-agnostic frameworks, and best practices, formatted to be compatible with the MIRACL Valuation Framework, also supports the report. Findings in this report can help guide communities as they evaluate how DW-hybrids can serve rural loads and improve equity outcomes.
To learn more about PNNL’s valuation, power system modeling, and co-simulation research results, please see the following publications:
Valuation
- Valuing Wind as a Distributed Energy Resource: A Literature Review
- The Value of Distributed Wind: A Valuation Framework
- Valuation Service code on GitHub and tutorial video
- Stronger Together: The Value Impacts of Hybridizing Distributed Wind
- Valuation of Distributed Wind in an Isolated System
- Quantifying Technical Diversity Benefits of Wind as a Distributed Energy Resource
Modeling
- Distributed Wind Representation in Modeling & Simulation Tools: An Assessment of Existing Tools
- GridLAB-D wind energy modeling updates on GitHub
Co-Simulation
- MIRACL Co-simulation platform for control and operation of distributed wind in microgrid
- MIRACL Co-Simulation Platform Lab Assets and Tools Integration
- Scalable Resilience Analysis Through Power Systems Co-Simulation
International collaboration
The International Energy Agency (IEA) Wind Technology Collaboration Programme shares information and research activities to advance wind energy research, development, and deployment in member countries. PNNL is partnering with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to lead IEA Wind Task 41—a task dedicated to advancing wind technology as a cost-effective and reliable distributed energy resource.
As part of this effort, PNNL has worked closely with the Technical University of Denmark to develop a distributed wind data catalog for task members. PNNL also collaborated with researchers at Nergica to develop a framework for characterizing the risk of ice fall and ice throw from small wind turbines to help developers address communities’ safety concerns.
To learn more about this work, please see the following publications:
Distributed wind outreach and technical assistance
PNNL is involved in a variety of strategic and technical stakeholder engagement activities. These include partnering with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), educating federal agencies about distributed wind, and providing technical assistance.
PNNL is working with NRECA on the Rural Area Distributed Wind Integration Network Development (RADWIND) project. The goal of RADWIND is to understand, address, and reduce the technical risks and market barriers to distributed wind adoption by rural utilities. Case studies, tools, and other products are available on the RADWIND website.
Selecting, Implementing, and Funding Distributed Wind Systems In Federal Facilities is an on-demand, web-based training designed for United States federal agencies for the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), but most of the material is relevant to any entity interested in learning about distributed wind projects. The training is divided into modules, and only the module about procurement and financing is specific to federal agencies.
Another training available through FEMP, Distributed Wind for Federal Agencies, demonstrates how to use publicly available wind resource assessment screening tools and locate other distributed wind tools and resources. Access to both trainings requires creating a free account.
PNNL participates in the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP). As part of the partner network, PNNL provides technical assistance to remote, island, and islanded communities that are shifting to cleaner and more resilient energy systems.
Small and medium wind turbine certification
Certifying a small or medium wind turbine model to standards demonstrates that the turbine model meets performance, durability, and quality requirements, giving customers greater confidence in the products they purchase. As part of annual Distributed Wind Market Report research, PNNL tracks the number of small and medium wind turbines certified to the AWEA Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard 9.1-2009 or the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61400-1, 61400-12, and 61400-11 standards.
