AdvancedTopic 80 of 106Electrical Engineering
Renewable integration
Variable wind and solar need storage, forecasting and flexible grids.
In depth
Variable renewables need forecasting, flexibility, storage, demand response, interconnection and grid codes (fault ride-through, reactive support). Curtailment occurs when supply exceeds demand or network limits. Duck-curve ramp needs fast resources.
Key points
- Capacity credit
- Inertia and system strength
- Grid-forming control
ExampleSolar plus batteries shift midday generation to the evening peak.
What is Renewable integration?
Variable wind and solar need storage, forecasting and flexible grids.
Why is it important to understand renewable integration?
Renewable sources vary with weather and need new tools to keep supply and demand matched, so grid planning must change.
Why is variability a problem for the grid?
Supply must match demand at every moment, so sudden changes in wind or solar must be covered by flexible generation, storage or demand response.
What is curtailment?
Reducing the output of a renewable plant when the grid cannot use all its power, usually to protect stability or balance supply.
How is Renewable integration used in practice?
Typical applications include planning reserves for a grid with high wind penetration, using batteries to smooth the output of a solar farm and forecasting demand and output to schedule generation a day ahead.
What should I learn before Renewable integration?
Study "HVDC transmission" first (topic 79 of 106 in Electrical Engineering). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of Renewable integration?
Capacity credit. Inertia and system strength. Grid-forming control.
Can you give an example of Renewable integration?
Solar plus batteries shift midday generation to the evening peak.
What comes after Renewable integration?
The next topic is "Solar photovoltaic systems", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is Renewable integration?
It is classed as Advanced in Electrical Engineering (topic 80 of 106). It is an advanced topic. It assumes you are comfortable with the intermediate topics in Electrical Engineering.