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A decision to regulate the output of Germany's largest wind power station on the island of Fehmarn is likely to reduce the output of individual wind turbines by 5%. But the introduction of power regulation means a more efficient use of existing grid capacity, argues the project's developer. Despite grid limitations, the project was recently expanded by ten wind turbines and now consists of 44, Enercon 500 kW E-40 machines.

According to Winkra Project of Hannover, if power regulation had not been introduced, expansion of the wind farm would have been limited to just five additional wind turbines. The larger expansion carried out means production has to be capped on the odd stormy day, but this is more than compensated for by the increased output from ten instead of five turbines on normal days, argues Winkra.

The output of each of the 44 turbines can be infinitely varied, says Winkra. During stormy periods, the output of the whole station will be curbed in order not to overburden the grid. Despite this, total annual output will be higher. A programme has begun in which output is being monitored to demonstrate that regulation of the power station will allow better use of the grid capacity available.