The Economics of Wind Power: Destabilizing an Electricity Grid with Renewable Power

Ryan Prescott and Gerrit van Kooten

No 2007-04, Working Papers from University of Victoria, Department of Economics, Resource Economics and Policy Analysis Research Group

Abstract: In this paper, we examine the impact policy choices, including a carbon tax, on the optimal allocation of power across different generation sources and on future investments in generating facilities. The focus in on the Alberta power grid as it is heavily dependent on fossil fuels and has only limited ties to other power grids, although the model could be extended to a larger and even multiple grids. Results indicate that, as wind penetrates the extant generating mix characterizing the grid, cost savings and emission reductions do not decline linearly, but at a decreasing rate. However, if flexibility is allowed then, as the carbon tax increases to $40 per tCO2 or above, existing coal plants start to be replaced by newly constructed wind farms and natural gas plants. If coal can be completely eliminated from the energy mix and replaced by natural gas and wind, substantial savings of 31.03 Mt CO2 (58% of total emissions) can result. However, this occurs for carbon taxes of over $170/tCO2. The associated high capital costs of new generating facilities may thus not be an ideal use of funds for addressing climate change.

Keywords: Economics of wind power; grid system modeling; operations research; carbon taxes and coal power plants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C61 H23 Q40 Q42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 29 pages
Date: 2007-07
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Working Paper: The Economics of Wind Power: Destabilizing an Electricity Grid with Renewable Power (2007)
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