The integration of wind energy into the electrical grid significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions by displacing conventional power plants. This study presents a novel data-driven approach to quantify the environmental value of wind energy generation through the Marginal Displacement Factor (MDF), expressed in kgCO2-equivalent per MWh. The MDF captures changes in emissions resulting from incremental variations in wind energy generation within an energy system, while accounting for the time-dependent fluctuations in grid emissions driven by the generation mix and demand-supply dynamics. Using the German energy system and the offshore wind farm Wikinger as a case study, results reveal substantial variability in the MDF and highlight the positive impact of wind energy on grid emission reduction. Furthermore, findings demonstrate that wake steering-based wind farm control for maximum power production can improve the environmental value of a wind farm within the same range as the increase in energy production.
Link to paper: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/3131/1/012044