Experiences with 3000 MW wind power in Germany

The development of wind energy applications in Germany has been extensively stimulated by continuous governmental support of research and development and since 1989 by the large scale demonstration programme "250 MW Wind". Meanwhile the installed wind capacity in Germany has reached about 3000 MW at the end of 1998. In the frame of the accompanying 'Scientific Measurement and Evaluation Programme' (WMEP) ISET is continuously collecting and evaluating broad information from over 1,500 turbines of the "250 MW Wind"-Programme. Latest findings of the WMEP concerning technology development, operational experience, economic viability and grid integration are explainedin this paper.