Grid Integration
Grid integration of renewable energy, especially wind energy, is a controversial topic–and has been for nearly three decades. Frankly, I think the subject has been beaten to death and for my part the questions answered many times over. Nevertheless, those opposed to renewable energy continually raise the subject in the hopes that this is some silver bullet that will put wind and solar energy in its grave. As a consequence, renewable energy advocates ask me for help to rebut the common myths about wind energy’s “unreliability”. For this reason, I occasionally post articles or reports on the topic of grid integration.
Renewables International: The “softening effect” of wind and solar on Grid Integration
By
Bernard Chabot
French expert Bernard Chabot explains another benefit from a balanced mix of wind and solar: their combined daily maximum outputs are lower than the addition of their installed capacity, allowing for a lower maximum carrying capability for electrical systems designed for the large penetration of renewables. Specifically, Germany’s targets turnout to be in line with maximum power demand. . .
Renewables International: How wind and PV complement each other
By
Bernard Chabot and Craig Morris
From January to June 2012, data published on the EEX web site show that, if well balanced, PV and wind production can complement each other along the seasons, leading to an easier to manage increasing contribution of variable but predictable renewable energy sources. A guest article by French expert Bernard Chabot. . .
Scenarios with High Shares of Renewable Energies
By
Dr. Carsten Pape
Summarizes the German Leitstudie (2011) that found 60 TWh of storage would be needed to meet Germany’s 2050 renewable targets.
Bloomberg: Renewables Make German Power Market Design Defunct
By
Electricity generation from renewable energy in Germany is reducing power prices and has left the country with a market whose design no longer works, according to Stadtwerke Leipzig GmbH. Renewable generation, such as wind and solar, receives support from the German government in the form of a feed-in- tariff, or FIT. Because there are no costs associated with the wind and sunshine, renewables have a generating margin of zero, as well as legally mandated priority access to the grid. As a result, fossil fuel-fired plants are generating for fewer hours and selling their power at cheaper prices, making them less profitable. . .
Renewables International: PV system size still diverse in Germany
By
Bernard Chabot
French consultant and sustainable energy expert Bernard Chabot updates Germany’s PV installation data in terms of system size vis-à-vis market share, compares it with the 2009-2011 distribution and draws some practical conclusions. . .
Renewables International: We need a mix
By
Bernard Chabot
French consultant and sustainable energy expert Bernard Chabot analyzes Germany’s PV and wind power installations performance “from power to energy and to percentage of electricity production” and draws some useful conclusions for optimal balance between RE technologies. . .
