Local ownership, smart energy systems and better wind power economy

Increasing wind power shares enhances the need to integrate wind power into the energy system and to improve its economy. In this study we propose two ways of achieving this end. One is to increase the value of wind power by integrating the heat and power markets, and thus ensures that wind power is never sold at a lower price than the most expensive heat alternative.The other is to lower the average costs of wind power by building more onshore wind power capacity, and proportionally less offshore wind power. This is facilitated by local and regional majority ownership models that increase the acceptance rate of onshore wind.The economy of wind power is thus improved by both increasing its value and reducing its costs.

► The value of wind power can be increased by integrating heat and power markets.
► Local majority ownership increases the acceptance of onshore wind power.
► More onshore and less offshore wind power reduces average wind power costs.
► Economy of wind power is improved by increasing both value and reducing costs.
► Improved wind power economy increases political acceptance of wind power.