
Wind Generation Meets 140% of Denmark’s Instantaneous Electricity Demand
At 3:00 AM on July 10, 2015, wind turbines in Denmark generated a record setting 140% of national electricity demand.
Key Details
- Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory estimates that wind generation accounted for nearly 40% of Denmark’s electricity production in 2014 (see chart)
- The incident resulted from a combination of unusually high winds and low electricity demand, which occurs during the middle of the night
- Excess electricity was exported to Norway, which could store the energy in hydropower systems, as well as Germany and Sweden
- By comparison, instantaneous wind penetration records in the United States include:
- 61.1% of demand for Xcel Energy Colorado on November 1, 2014
- 42.7% of demand for Bonneville Power Administration on April 11, 2015
- 40.6% of demand for ERCOT on March 29, 2015
- According to European Wind Energy Association, Denmark had 4,485 MW of cumulative installed wind capacity at the end of 2014
Approximate Annual Wind Energy Production in Select Countries
Implications
Wind power is a significant part of the overall electricity supply in Denmark. The variable nature of wind can cause wide swings in production. At high penetrations, this can have a meaningful impact on the overall supply/demand balance. Robust grid infrastructure and dynamic energy market are required to accommodate high penetrations of variable renewable resources. Otherwise, grid operators must curtail renewable resources to maintain a balance between electric generation and load demand.
More Information
Guardian: Wind Power Generates 140% of Denmark’s Electricity Demand
European Wind Energy Association: Wind in Power – 2014 European Statistics
American Wind Energy Association: Wind Energy Keeps Breaking Records – In Denmark and Here at Home
This report is part of the Clean Tech & Sustainability Minute series. To view all featured Minutes, please click here.
View MoreContributing Authors


May we suggest:
Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs): The Outlook for Lease Condensate
Load Growth, Natural Gas, and Renewables Push U.S. CO2 Emissions Lower
Changing Resources and Implications for Transmission
The Changing Utility Landscape and its Implications for Transmission
Welcome to ScottMadden!
Sussex Economic Advisors is now part of ScottMadden. We invite you to learn more about our expanded firm. Please use the Contact Us form to request additional information.