Impact of decentralized wind generation in power systems reliability. Variable speed wind turbines

Electricity supply is challenged from deregulation and third party access t o the network. In consequence of this, dispersed generation from Independen t Power Producers based on co-generation units, renewable energies or other conventional sources increase in all countries. Wind Energy Converters is one of the different technologies in use and development. Most utility-scal e wind turbines are operated at constant speed. but there is an increasing interest in variable speed ones. In this paper, a variable speed, stall reg ulated wind turbine has been simulated, evaluated and compared to a fixed s peed wind turbine to study the impact in power systems reliability, on the basis of classic indices and risk base capacity benefit factors, as adequac y indices. Conclusions about the maximum level of penetration are illustrat ed using a small test system.