European Wind Energy Association

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How is electricity measured?

The ability to generate electricity is measured in watts. Watts are very small units, so the terms kilowatt (kW = 1,000 watts), megawatt (MW = 1 million watts), and gigawatt (GW = 1 billion watts) are most commonly used to describe the capacity of generating units like wind turbines or other power plants.

Electricity production and consumption are most commonly measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). A kilowatt-hour means one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of electricity produced or consumed for one hour. One 50 watt light bulb left on for 20 hours consumes one kilowatt-hour of electricity (50 watts x 20 hours = 1,000 watt-hours = 1 kilowatt-hour).

Category: FAQ topic 3

How much electricity can one wind turbine generate?

The output of a wind turbine depends on the turbine's size and the wind's speed through the rotor. Wind turbines manufactured today have power ratings ranging from 250 watts to 7 MW.

An onshore wind turbine with a capacity of 2.5–3 MW can produce more than 6 million kWh in a year – enough to supply 1,500 average EU households with electricity.

Category: FAQ topic 3

How much electricity is created from wind in Europe?

The total wind power capacity at the end of 2011 would cover 6.3% of the EU-27’s electricity demand in a normal wind year.

By 2020, wind power is forecast to produce 495 TWh (Terawatt hours, where ‘Terawatt’ means one trillion watts) of electricity according to the National Renewable Energy Action Plans drawn-up by each EU country in 2010, which would meet 14% of EU electricity demand (4.2% from offshore). By 2050, EWEA estimates that wind power will meet 50% of electricity demand.

Wind provides 26% of electricity in Denmark, while Portugal and Spain get around16% of electricity from wind power respectively.

Category: FAQ topic 3

How does a wind turbine produce electricity?

The wind passes over the blades creating lift (like an aircraft wing) which causes the rotor to turn. The blades turn a low-speed shaft inside the nacelle: gears connect the low speed shaft of the rotor with a high speed shaft that drives a generator. Here, the slow rotation speed of the blades is increased to the high speed of generator revolution. Some wind turbines do not contain a gearbox and instead use a direct drive mechanism to produce power from the generator.

The rapidly spinning shaft drives the generator to produce electric energy. Electricity from the generator goes to a transformer which converts it to the right voltage for the electricity grid. The electricity is then transmitted via the electricity network.

See how a wind turbine works with EWEA’s interactive infographic!

Category: FAQ topic 3

What happens when the wind stops blowing?

The power grid operator constantly matches the electricity generation available to electricity demand. No power plant is 100% reliable, and the electricity grid is designed to cope with power plants shutting down unexpectedly, and times when the wind is not blowing. Wind is variable, but predictable. Wind farm sites are chosen after careful analysis of wind patterns. This enables a forecast of output to be made - information which can be made available to the network operators who will distribute the electricity.

In the future, once a truly European electricity grid has been constructed, wind-powered electricity will be able to be traded between EU countries to balance out supply and demand even more easily. Other renewables such as solar will also form part of this electricity exchange.

Category: FAQ topic 3

Why do we need a European power grid?

Much of today’s electricity grid was built 40-60 years ago. It was built around large fossil-fuel burning power stations usually sited near large urban areas. European grids are largely national grids.

In order to harness the power of renewable energy, including wind, the grid has to be extended to where the resource is located: i.e. where the wind blows most frequently, and where the sun shines the brightest. For wind, this includes out to sea, and in some remoter land areas. The grid needs to be expanded so that it can deliver power from where the wind is blowing to where it is needed.

The grid also needs to be better interconnected to improve security of supply and prevent black outs – regardless of the source of energy – and in order to improve competition in the electricity market, which would bring down prices. A European grid might also use more modern cables that lose less electricity in transit.

The investment need for new and refurbished grid infrastructure is about €140 bn up to 2020, according to the European Commission. The opportunity is there to make a more modern system that meets tomorrow’s energy, social, environmental and economic needs.

Category: FAQ topic 3

What is a Transmission System Operator?

In the electricity sector, a transmission system operator (TSO) is a company that transmits electrical power from generation plants to regional or local electricity Distribution System Operators (DSO). It is responsible for operating, maintaining and developing the transmission system for its own control area and its interconnectors.

At a European level, ENTSO-E (the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity) is an association of European TSOs. It aims to increase integration between electricity markets in the EU, establish network codes which will define rules for cross-border grid management and develop a Pan-European ten-year plan for grid development.

Category: FAQ topic 3

Why do we need a European supergrid?

Much of today’s electricity grid was built 40-60 years ago. It was built around large fossil-fuel burning power stations usually sited near large urban areas, plus some nuclear power stations in some countries. European grids are also largely national grids, although some inter-connections between countries have created regional networks in some parts of our continent.

In order to harness the power of renewable energy, including wind, the grid has to be extended to where the resource is located: i.e. where the wind blows most frequently, and where the sun shines the brightest. For wind, this includes out to sea, and in some remoter land areas. To ensure a constant supply of electricity from wind and other renewable energy sources, the grid needs to be expanded so that it can deliver power from where the wind is blowing to where it is needed.

The grid also needs to be better inter-connected to improve security of supply– regardless of the source of energy – and in order to improve competition in the electricity market, which would bring down prices. A supergrid might also use more modern cables that lose less electricity in transit.

So there are many reasons why Europe needs a supergrid and, although it would involve considerable investments, the fact is that over the next 12 years, Europe must build new power capacity nearly equal to half the current total. The opportunity is there to make a more modern system that meets tomorrow’s energy, social, environmental and economic needs

Category: FAQ topic 3

Can wind deliver enough electricity?

Electricity demand is always going up and down - the grid operator’s job is to constantly match the electricity generation available to electricity demand. Wind energy’s variability is just one more variable in the mix.

Today, in Denmark, over 26% of electricity demand is already supplied by the wind, and is managed successfully by the Transmission System Operator. The Danish government aims to get 50% of its electricity from wind by 2025. In Spain 16% of electricity demand is met by wind, and at times wind provides over half the electricity needed.

According to the European Commission wind energy will supply between 32% and 49% of the EU’s electricity by 2050. EWEA and others believe Europe could achieve 100% renewables by 2050. Wind can provide 50% of this. The key will be a Europe-wide power grid which will transport wind energy from where it is produced to where it is consumed – the wind is always blowing somewhere.

In a recent report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) points out that so-called “variable” energy sources such as wind can be managed with an intelligent, joined-up grid and a functioning electricity market.

Category: FAQ topic 3

Show all / Hide all

How is electricity measured?

The ability to generate electricity is measured in watts. Watts are very small units, so the terms kilowatt (kW = 1,000 watts), megawatt (MW = 1 million watts), and gigawatt (GW = 1 billion watts) are most commonly used to describe the capacity of generating units like wind turbines or other power plants.

Electricity production and consumption are most commonly measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). A kilowatt-hour means one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of electricity produced or consumed for one hour. One 50 watt light bulb left on for 20 hours consumes one kilowatt-hour of electricity (50 watts x 20 hours = 1,000 watt-hours = 1 kilowatt-hour).

Category: FAQ topic 3

How much electricity can one wind turbine generate?

The output of a wind turbine depends on the turbine's size and the wind's speed through the rotor. Wind turbines manufactured today have power ratings ranging from 250 watts to 7 MW.

An onshore wind turbine with a capacity of 2.5–3 MW can produce more than 6 million kWh in a year – enough to supply 1,500 average EU households with electricity.

Category: FAQ topic 3

How much electricity is created from wind in Europe?

The total wind power capacity at the end of 2011 would cover 6.3% of the EU-27’s electricity demand in a normal wind year.

By 2020, wind power is forecast to produce 495 TWh (Terawatt hours, where ‘Terawatt’ means one trillion watts) of electricity according to the National Renewable Energy Action Plans drawn-up by each EU country in 2010, which would meet 14% of EU electricity demand (4.2% from offshore). By 2050, EWEA estimates that wind power will meet 50% of electricity demand.

Wind provides 26% of electricity in Denmark, while Portugal and Spain get around16% of electricity from wind power respectively.

Category: FAQ topic 3

How does a wind turbine produce electricity?

The wind passes over the blades creating lift (like an aircraft wing) which causes the rotor to turn. The blades turn a low-speed shaft inside the nacelle: gears connect the low speed shaft of the rotor with a high speed shaft that drives a generator. Here, the slow rotation speed of the blades is increased to the high speed of generator revolution. Some wind turbines do not contain a gearbox and instead use a direct drive mechanism to produce power from the generator.

The rapidly spinning shaft drives the generator to produce electric energy. Electricity from the generator goes to a transformer which converts it to the right voltage for the electricity grid. The electricity is then transmitted via the electricity network.

See how a wind turbine works with EWEA’s interactive infographic!

Category: FAQ topic 3

What happens when the wind stops blowing?

The power grid operator constantly matches the electricity generation available to electricity demand. No power plant is 100% reliable, and the electricity grid is designed to cope with power plants shutting down unexpectedly, and times when the wind is not blowing. Wind is variable, but predictable. Wind farm sites are chosen after careful analysis of wind patterns. This enables a forecast of output to be made - information which can be made available to the network operators who will distribute the electricity.

In the future, once a truly European electricity grid has been constructed, wind-powered electricity will be able to be traded between EU countries to balance out supply and demand even more easily. Other renewables such as solar will also form part of this electricity exchange.

Category: FAQ topic 3

Why do we need a European power grid?

Much of today’s electricity grid was built 40-60 years ago. It was built around large fossil-fuel burning power stations usually sited near large urban areas. European grids are largely national grids.

In order to harness the power of renewable energy, including wind, the grid has to be extended to where the resource is located: i.e. where the wind blows most frequently, and where the sun shines the brightest. For wind, this includes out to sea, and in some remoter land areas. The grid needs to be expanded so that it can deliver power from where the wind is blowing to where it is needed.

The grid also needs to be better interconnected to improve security of supply and prevent black outs – regardless of the source of energy – and in order to improve competition in the electricity market, which would bring down prices. A European grid might also use more modern cables that lose less electricity in transit.

The investment need for new and refurbished grid infrastructure is about €140 bn up to 2020, according to the European Commission. The opportunity is there to make a more modern system that meets tomorrow’s energy, social, environmental and economic needs.

Category: FAQ topic 3

What is a Transmission System Operator?

In the electricity sector, a transmission system operator (TSO) is a company that transmits electrical power from generation plants to regional or local electricity Distribution System Operators (DSO). It is responsible for operating, maintaining and developing the transmission system for its own control area and its interconnectors.

At a European level, ENTSO-E (the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity) is an association of European TSOs. It aims to increase integration between electricity markets in the EU, establish network codes which will define rules for cross-border grid management and develop a Pan-European ten-year plan for grid development.

Category: FAQ topic 3

Why do we need a European supergrid?

Much of today’s electricity grid was built 40-60 years ago. It was built around large fossil-fuel burning power stations usually sited near large urban areas, plus some nuclear power stations in some countries. European grids are also largely national grids, although some inter-connections between countries have created regional networks in some parts of our continent.

In order to harness the power of renewable energy, including wind, the grid has to be extended to where the resource is located: i.e. where the wind blows most frequently, and where the sun shines the brightest. For wind, this includes out to sea, and in some remoter land areas. To ensure a constant supply of electricity from wind and other renewable energy sources, the grid needs to be expanded so that it can deliver power from where the wind is blowing to where it is needed.

The grid also needs to be better inter-connected to improve security of supply– regardless of the source of energy – and in order to improve competition in the electricity market, which would bring down prices. A supergrid might also use more modern cables that lose less electricity in transit.

So there are many reasons why Europe needs a supergrid and, although it would involve considerable investments, the fact is that over the next 12 years, Europe must build new power capacity nearly equal to half the current total. The opportunity is there to make a more modern system that meets tomorrow’s energy, social, environmental and economic needs

Category: FAQ topic 3

Can wind deliver enough electricity?

Electricity demand is always going up and down - the grid operator’s job is to constantly match the electricity generation available to electricity demand. Wind energy’s variability is just one more variable in the mix.

Today, in Denmark, over 26% of electricity demand is already supplied by the wind, and is managed successfully by the Transmission System Operator. The Danish government aims to get 50% of its electricity from wind by 2025. In Spain 16% of electricity demand is met by wind, and at times wind provides over half the electricity needed.

According to the European Commission wind energy will supply between 32% and 49% of the EU’s electricity by 2050. EWEA and others believe Europe could achieve 100% renewables by 2050. Wind can provide 50% of this. The key will be a Europe-wide power grid which will transport wind energy from where it is produced to where it is consumed – the wind is always blowing somewhere.

In a recent report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) points out that so-called “variable” energy sources such as wind can be managed with an intelligent, joined-up grid and a functioning electricity market.

Category: FAQ topic 3

Show all / Hide all

How is electricity measured?

The ability to generate electricity is measured in watts. Watts are very small units, so the terms kilowatt (kW = 1,000 watts), megawatt (MW = 1 million watts), and gigawatt (GW = 1 billion watts) are most commonly used to describe the capacity of generating units like wind turbines or other power plants.

Electricity production and consumption are most commonly measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). A kilowatt-hour means one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of electricity produced or consumed for one hour. One 50 watt light bulb left on for 20 hours consumes one kilowatt-hour of electricity (50 watts x 20 hours = 1,000 watt-hours = 1 kilowatt-hour).

Category: FAQ topic 3

How much electricity can one wind turbine generate?

The output of a wind turbine depends on the turbine's size and the wind's speed through the rotor. Wind turbines manufactured today have power ratings ranging from 250 watts to 7 MW.

An onshore wind turbine with a capacity of 2.5–3 MW can produce more than 6 million kWh in a year – enough to supply 1,500 average EU households with electricity.

Category: FAQ topic 3

How much electricity is created from wind in Europe?

The total wind power capacity at the end of 2011 would cover 6.3% of the EU-27’s electricity demand in a normal wind year.

By 2020, wind power is forecast to produce 495 TWh (Terawatt hours, where ‘Terawatt’ means one trillion watts) of electricity according to the National Renewable Energy Action Plans drawn-up by each EU country in 2010, which would meet 14% of EU electricity demand (4.2% from offshore). By 2050, EWEA estimates that wind power will meet 50% of electricity demand.

Wind provides 26% of electricity in Denmark, while Portugal and Spain get around16% of electricity from wind power respectively.

Category: FAQ topic 3

How does a wind turbine produce electricity?

The wind passes over the blades creating lift (like an aircraft wing) which causes the rotor to turn. The blades turn a low-speed shaft inside the nacelle: gears connect the low speed shaft of the rotor with a high speed shaft that drives a generator. Here, the slow rotation speed of the blades is increased to the high speed of generator revolution. Some wind turbines do not contain a gearbox and instead use a direct drive mechanism to produce power from the generator.

The rapidly spinning shaft drives the generator to produce electric energy. Electricity from the generator goes to a transformer which converts it to the right voltage for the electricity grid. The electricity is then transmitted via the electricity network.

See how a wind turbine works with EWEA’s interactive infographic!

Category: FAQ topic 3

What happens when the wind stops blowing?

The power grid operator constantly matches the electricity generation available to electricity demand. No power plant is 100% reliable, and the electricity grid is designed to cope with power plants shutting down unexpectedly, and times when the wind is not blowing. Wind is variable, but predictable. Wind farm sites are chosen after careful analysis of wind patterns. This enables a forecast of output to be made - information which can be made available to the network operators who will distribute the electricity.

In the future, once a truly European electricity grid has been constructed, wind-powered electricity will be able to be traded between EU countries to balance out supply and demand even more easily. Other renewables such as solar will also form part of this electricity exchange.

Category: FAQ topic 3

Why do we need a European power grid?

Much of today’s electricity grid was built 40-60 years ago. It was built around large fossil-fuel burning power stations usually sited near large urban areas. European grids are largely national grids.

In order to harness the power of renewable energy, including wind, the grid has to be extended to where the resource is located: i.e. where the wind blows most frequently, and where the sun shines the brightest. For wind, this includes out to sea, and in some remoter land areas. The grid needs to be expanded so that it can deliver power from where the wind is blowing to where it is needed.

The grid also needs to be better interconnected to improve security of supply and prevent black outs – regardless of the source of energy – and in order to improve competition in the electricity market, which would bring down prices. A European grid might also use more modern cables that lose less electricity in transit.

The investment need for new and refurbished grid infrastructure is about €140 bn up to 2020, according to the European Commission. The opportunity is there to make a more modern system that meets tomorrow’s energy, social, environmental and economic needs.

Category: FAQ topic 3

What is a Transmission System Operator?

In the electricity sector, a transmission system operator (TSO) is a company that transmits electrical power from generation plants to regional or local electricity Distribution System Operators (DSO). It is responsible for operating, maintaining and developing the transmission system for its own control area and its interconnectors.

At a European level, ENTSO-E (the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity) is an association of European TSOs. It aims to increase integration between electricity markets in the EU, establish network codes which will define rules for cross-border grid management and develop a Pan-European ten-year plan for grid development.

Category: FAQ topic 3

Why do we need a European supergrid?

Much of today’s electricity grid was built 40-60 years ago. It was built around large fossil-fuel burning power stations usually sited near large urban areas, plus some nuclear power stations in some countries. European grids are also largely national grids, although some inter-connections between countries have created regional networks in some parts of our continent.

In order to harness the power of renewable energy, including wind, the grid has to be extended to where the resource is located: i.e. where the wind blows most frequently, and where the sun shines the brightest. For wind, this includes out to sea, and in some remoter land areas. To ensure a constant supply of electricity from wind and other renewable energy sources, the grid needs to be expanded so that it can deliver power from where the wind is blowing to where it is needed.

The grid also needs to be better inter-connected to improve security of supply– regardless of the source of energy – and in order to improve competition in the electricity market, which would bring down prices. A supergrid might also use more modern cables that lose less electricity in transit.

So there are many reasons why Europe needs a supergrid and, although it would involve considerable investments, the fact is that over the next 12 years, Europe must build new power capacity nearly equal to half the current total. The opportunity is there to make a more modern system that meets tomorrow’s energy, social, environmental and economic needs

Category: FAQ topic 3

Can wind deliver enough electricity?

Electricity demand is always going up and down - the grid operator’s job is to constantly match the electricity generation available to electricity demand. Wind energy’s variability is just one more variable in the mix.

Today, in Denmark, over 26% of electricity demand is already supplied by the wind, and is managed successfully by the Transmission System Operator. The Danish government aims to get 50% of its electricity from wind by 2025. In Spain 16% of electricity demand is met by wind, and at times wind provides over half the electricity needed.

According to the European Commission wind energy will supply between 32% and 49% of the EU’s electricity by 2050. EWEA and others believe Europe could achieve 100% renewables by 2050. Wind can provide 50% of this. The key will be a Europe-wide power grid which will transport wind energy from where it is produced to where it is consumed – the wind is always blowing somewhere.

In a recent report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) points out that so-called “variable” energy sources such as wind can be managed with an intelligent, joined-up grid and a functioning electricity market.

Category: FAQ topic 3

Show all / Hide all

How is electricity measured?

The ability to generate electricity is measured in watts. Watts are very small units, so the terms kilowatt (kW = 1,000 watts), megawatt (MW = 1 million watts), and gigawatt (GW = 1 billion watts) are most commonly used to describe the capacity of generating units like wind turbines or other power plants.

Electricity production and consumption are most commonly measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). A kilowatt-hour means one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of electricity produced or consumed for one hour. One 50 watt light bulb left on for 20 hours consumes one kilowatt-hour of electricity (50 watts x 20 hours = 1,000 watt-hours = 1 kilowatt-hour).

Category: FAQ topic 3

How much electricity can one wind turbine generate?

The output of a wind turbine depends on the turbine's size and the wind's speed through the rotor. Wind turbines manufactured today have power ratings ranging from 250 watts to 7 MW.

An onshore wind turbine with a capacity of 2.5–3 MW can produce more than 6 million kWh in a year – enough to supply 1,500 average EU households with electricity.

Category: FAQ topic 3

How much electricity is created from wind in Europe?

The total wind power capacity at the end of 2011 would cover 6.3% of the EU-27’s electricity demand in a normal wind year.

By 2020, wind power is forecast to produce 495 TWh (Terawatt hours, where ‘Terawatt’ means one trillion watts) of electricity according to the National Renewable Energy Action Plans drawn-up by each EU country in 2010, which would meet 14% of EU electricity demand (4.2% from offshore). By 2050, EWEA estimates that wind power will meet 50% of electricity demand.

Wind provides 26% of electricity in Denmark, while Portugal and Spain get around16% of electricity from wind power respectively.

Category: FAQ topic 3

How does a wind turbine produce electricity?

The wind passes over the blades creating lift (like an aircraft wing) which causes the rotor to turn. The blades turn a low-speed shaft inside the nacelle: gears connect the low speed shaft of the rotor with a high speed shaft that drives a generator. Here, the slow rotation speed of the blades is increased to the high speed of generator revolution. Some wind turbines do not contain a gearbox and instead use a direct drive mechanism to produce power from the generator.

The rapidly spinning shaft drives the generator to produce electric energy. Electricity from the generator goes to a transformer which converts it to the right voltage for the electricity grid. The electricity is then transmitted via the electricity network.

See how a wind turbine works with EWEA’s interactive infographic!

Category: FAQ topic 3

What happens when the wind stops blowing?

The power grid operator constantly matches the electricity generation available to electricity demand. No power plant is 100% reliable, and the electricity grid is designed to cope with power plants shutting down unexpectedly, and times when the wind is not blowing. Wind is variable, but predictable. Wind farm sites are chosen after careful analysis of wind patterns. This enables a forecast of output to be made - information which can be made available to the network operators who will distribute the electricity.

In the future, once a truly European electricity grid has been constructed, wind-powered electricity will be able to be traded between EU countries to balance out supply and demand even more easily. Other renewables such as solar will also form part of this electricity exchange.

Category: FAQ topic 3

Why do we need a European power grid?

Much of today’s electricity grid was built 40-60 years ago. It was built around large fossil-fuel burning power stations usually sited near large urban areas. European grids are largely national grids.

In order to harness the power of renewable energy, including wind, the grid has to be extended to where the resource is located: i.e. where the wind blows most frequently, and where the sun shines the brightest. For wind, this includes out to sea, and in some remoter land areas. The grid needs to be expanded so that it can deliver power from where the wind is blowing to where it is needed.

The grid also needs to be better interconnected to improve security of supply and prevent black outs – regardless of the source of energy – and in order to improve competition in the electricity market, which would bring down prices. A European grid might also use more modern cables that lose less electricity in transit.

The investment need for new and refurbished grid infrastructure is about €140 bn up to 2020, according to the European Commission. The opportunity is there to make a more modern system that meets tomorrow’s energy, social, environmental and economic needs.

Category: FAQ topic 3

What is a Transmission System Operator?

In the electricity sector, a transmission system operator (TSO) is a company that transmits electrical power from generation plants to regional or local electricity Distribution System Operators (DSO). It is responsible for operating, maintaining and developing the transmission system for its own control area and its interconnectors.

At a European level, ENTSO-E (the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity) is an association of European TSOs. It aims to increase integration between electricity markets in the EU, establish network codes which will define rules for cross-border grid management and develop a Pan-European ten-year plan for grid development.

Category: FAQ topic 3

Why do we need a European supergrid?

Much of today’s electricity grid was built 40-60 years ago. It was built around large fossil-fuel burning power stations usually sited near large urban areas, plus some nuclear power stations in some countries. European grids are also largely national grids, although some inter-connections between countries have created regional networks in some parts of our continent.

In order to harness the power of renewable energy, including wind, the grid has to be extended to where the resource is located: i.e. where the wind blows most frequently, and where the sun shines the brightest. For wind, this includes out to sea, and in some remoter land areas. To ensure a constant supply of electricity from wind and other renewable energy sources, the grid needs to be expanded so that it can deliver power from where the wind is blowing to where it is needed.

The grid also needs to be better inter-connected to improve security of supply– regardless of the source of energy – and in order to improve competition in the electricity market, which would bring down prices. A supergrid might also use more modern cables that lose less electricity in transit.

So there are many reasons why Europe needs a supergrid and, although it would involve considerable investments, the fact is that over the next 12 years, Europe must build new power capacity nearly equal to half the current total. The opportunity is there to make a more modern system that meets tomorrow’s energy, social, environmental and economic needs

Category: FAQ topic 3

Can wind deliver enough electricity?

Electricity demand is always going up and down - the grid operator’s job is to constantly match the electricity generation available to electricity demand. Wind energy’s variability is just one more variable in the mix.

Today, in Denmark, over 26% of electricity demand is already supplied by the wind, and is managed successfully by the Transmission System Operator. The Danish government aims to get 50% of its electricity from wind by 2025. In Spain 16% of electricity demand is met by wind, and at times wind provides over half the electricity needed.

According to the European Commission wind energy will supply between 32% and 49% of the EU’s electricity by 2050. EWEA and others believe Europe could achieve 100% renewables by 2050. Wind can provide 50% of this. The key will be a Europe-wide power grid which will transport wind energy from where it is produced to where it is consumed – the wind is always blowing somewhere.

In a recent report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) points out that so-called “variable” energy sources such as wind can be managed with an intelligent, joined-up grid and a functioning electricity market.

Category: FAQ topic 3