Timing Value of Marine Renewable Energy Resources for Potential Grid Applications

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Applied Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117281· OSTI ID:1818125

Bhattacharya, Saptarshi  ^[1]; Pennock, Shona ^[2]; Robertson, Bryson ^[3]; Hanif, Sarmad ^[1]; Alam, Md Jan E. ^[1]; Bhatnagar, Dhruv ^[1]; Preziuso, Danielle C. ^[1]; O'Neil, Rebecca S. ^[1]

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1. BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)
2. University of Edinburgh
3. Oregon State University

In this paper, the applicability of marine renewable energy for potential grid applications is presented. We show that many of the unique value streams from marine-based electricity generation stem from their inherent temporal characteristics, especially when compared to wind and solar. Specifically, in this work, we evaluate the timing value for three types of marine energy resources - (a) tidal (b) wave and (c) ocean currents. Firstly, through a suite of novel metrics such as resource availability, persistence and versatility, we evaluate the temporal value characteristics of these resources. Secondly, through a more grid-oriented numerical study, we comment on the potential ramifications of those temporal characteristics in context of energy balancing and effective load carrying capability, for one marine-based resource i.e. wave. Subsequently, we further our understanding of the relative advantages which may be leveraged by operating wave-based generation resources in tandem with more established renewable choices, such as solar and wind. Our results indicate that compared to wind and solar, marine energy resources are consistently more available and persistent on an hourly level, throughout an entire year of operation. In addition to this, wave resources are also seen to reduce both the magnitudes and the degree of volatility in balancing requirements within the power system. Our work not only focuses on sites specific to the Unites States (US), but also includes a parallel study for a location in Great Britain (GB). Results are found to be consistent for sites in both the US and GB, implying that the grid benefits discussed in this work could apply to a number of locations globally.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1818125
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-156569
• Journal Information: Applied Energy, Vol. 299
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English