Publication
Current Trends and Issues in Wind Energy
October 21, 2015

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Many parts of the world face a serious climate change and energy security challenges due to global warming and the increase in electricity consumption. Wind energy is indigenously available to almost every country, and it can play an integral role in addressing both climate change and energy security challenges. Some parts of the world have already begun to see an energy transition that has resulted in a high level of penetration of renewable energy in the world's power systems. Countries such as Denmark or regions such as Texas already have 50% or higher penetration of renewable energy. Denmark's currently installed power system even allows up to 100% of its electricity requirements to come from wind energy on some days. However, integrating the wind power generation system into the current electricity grid presents a large obstacle for high penetration of renewable energy because of the fluctuating nature of the source. Wind is intermittent, and is not always present when electricity is demanded, and wind itself cannot be stored.