Title: Analysis of wind power in Danish electricity supply, 2005-2007

Authors: Bertel Lohmann Andersen

Addresses: Techconsult, Kulsvierparken 71, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark

Abstract: It is frequently said that wind power covers about 20% of electricity consumption in Denmark. The correct statement is that production of electricity by Danish wind turbines corresponds to about 20% of electricity consumption. A considerable fraction of the energy produced by wind turbines is exported to neighbouring countries and therefore is not used in Denmark. But how does one know that the exported electricity comes from wind turbines and not from coal-fired power plants? This report analyses Danish electricity production on an hourly basis during the years 2005-2007 in a way that has not previously been employed. It is shown that there is frequently a strong correlation between wind power production and net export of electricity: when production is high, net export is also high. It is therefore concluded that the exported electricity comes primarily from wind turbines. The electricity from wind turbines that is used in Denmark is therefore calculated as the wind power production minus the net export, when this is a positive number. An example is given in Appendix 1. For other cases, see Section 4 of the report. The conclusion is that the widely disseminated assertion that about 20% of electricity consumption in Denmark is covered by wind turbines is incorrect.

Keywords: Denmark; wind power analysis; wind energy; electricity consumption; wind turbines; renewable energy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNGEE.2010.033308

International Journal of Nuclear Governance, Economy and Ecology, 2010 Vol.3 No.2, pp.127 - 149

Published online: 24 May 2010 *

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