Wind energy rejection in China: Current status, reasons and perspectives

Currently, parts of the potential energy generated by the wind turbines could not be transmitted to the electric power grid in China, leading to a serious wind energy rejection problem. In some local areas (e.g. Gansu province), the wind energy rejection rate reaches 47% in the first half year of 2016. Wind energy rejection problem is currently the biggest barrier for the further development of the wind energy in China. In this review, the current status of the wind energy rejection (between 2010 and 2016) are reviewed with a detailed analysis of the reasons based on the statistical data released by the authorities. Two cases studies (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Gansu province respectively) are also performed to specify the reasons for the rejection and provide an in-depth discussion on the influences of related policies. Based on the recent trends and policies, several solutions and perspectives are also given together with some specific suggestions for the policy makers. Furthermore, in this review, a brief description of China's electric system is also given for the convenience of the readers. This review is not only informative for solving the wind energy rejection problem in China but also helps the policy makers in other developing countries for building the roadmaps of the renewable energies. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.