Physics Faculty Publications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2015

Publication Source

Renewable Energy

Abstract

Ambitious policy targets together with current and projected high growth rates indicate that future power systems will likely show substantially increased generation from renewable energy sources. A large share will come from the variable renewable energy (VRE) sources wind and solar photovoltaics (PV); however, integrating wind and solar causes challenges for existing power systems. In this paper we analyze three major integration challenges related to the structural matching of demand with the supply of wind and solar power: low capacity credit, reduced utilization of dispatchable plants, and over-produced generation. Based on residual load duration curves we define corresponding challenge variables and estimate their dependence on region (US Indiana and Germany), penetration and mix of wind and solar generation. Results show that the impacts of increasing wind and solar shares can become substantial, and increase with penetration, independently of mix and region. Solar PV at low penetrations is much easier to integrate in many areas of the US than in Germany; however, some impacts (e.g. over-production) increase significantly with higher shares. For wind power, the impacts increase rather moderately and are fairly similar in US Indiana and Germany.

Inclusive pages

1-10

ISBN/ISSN

0960-1481

Document Version

Postprint

Comments

The paper made available for download after the publisher's required embargo period is the author's accepted manuscript, provided in compliance with the publisher policy on self-archiving. Permission documentation is on file.

Some differences may exist between this version and the published version; as such, those wishing to quote directly from this source are advised to consult the version of record.

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

81

Peer Reviewed

yes

Keywords

Variable renewables, Wind, Solar, Integration, Residual load duration curves, Capacity credit

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