Impact of Generator Flexibility on Electric System Costs and Integration of Renewable Energy
Flexibility of traditional generators plays an important role in accommodating the increased variability and uncertainty of wind and solar on the electric power system. Increased flexibility can be achieved with changes to operational practices or upgrades to existing generation. One challenge is in understanding the value of increasing flexibility, and how this value may change given higher levels of variable generation. This study uses a commercial production cost model to measure the impact of generator flexibility on the integration of wind and solar generators. We use a system that is based on two balancing areas in the Western United States with a range of wind and solar penetrations between 15% and 60%, where instantaneous penetration of wind and solar is limited to 80%.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Policy and Analysis
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1149656
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/TP-6A20-62275
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
On the Path to SunShot. Emerging Issues and Challenges in Integrating High Levels of Solar into the Electrical Generation and Transmission System
The Potential to Improve the Value of U.S. Geothermal Electricity Generation Through Flexible Operations