Variability of Wind and Wind Power

Abstract

The installed capacity for wind power is increasing substantially in response to the worldwide interest in low-emissions power sources and a desire to decrease the dependence on petroleum. The European Union directive 2009/28/EC enforces the mandatory target of a 20 % share of energy from renewable sources in overall Community energy consumption by 2020 and a mandatory 10 % minimum target to be achieved by all Member States for the share of biofuels in transport petrol and diesel consumption by 2020. These targets may require between 30 and 40 % of the electricity in the European Union to come from renewable energy sources by 2020.