OWIS Study on Wind Farms

Oahu Wind Integration Study (OWIS) conducted by the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, General Electric and the Hawaiian Electric Company found the following:

• Using state-of-the-art wind power forecasting to help anticipate the amount of power that will be available from wind.
• Increasing power reserves to help manage wind variability and uncertainty in wind power forecasts;
• Reducing minimum stable operating power of baseload generating units to provide more power reserves
• Increasing ramp rates (the time it takes to increase or decrease output) of Hawaiian Electric’s thermal generating units
• Implementing severe weather monitoring to ensure adequate power generation is available during periods of higher wind power variability
• Evaluating other resources capable of contributing reserve, such as fast-starting thermal generating units and load control programs.

Translation:  Although wind will provide significant energy, HECO will need to have back up fossil fuel plants to meet peak load requirements.  See the full OWIS study here