Practical Flexibility Analysis on Europe Power System with High Penetration of Variable Renewable Energy

Abstract

As the proportion of grid-connected variable renewable energy (VRE), mainly wind and solar photovoltaic (PV), getting higher, the demand for flexibility in the power system increases intensely, posing unprecedented challenges to the economic and stable operation of the power system. In order to meet the growing flexibility needs, new technologies such as rapid grade climbing and highly flexible combined cycle gas turbine power generation will be required on the power supply side, as well as new technologies such as energy storages. In addition, the expansion of trans-regional power transmission capacity will be another important source of power system flexibility. Together, these technologies have created huge opportunities to help the power system to integrate more VRE. In this study, a practical framework study for flexibility assessment and its allocation was proposed to investigate the flexibility demand change with high penetration of VRE in the power system. By focusing on the various flexible resources available, an optimal portfolio of flexibility solutions to facilitate VRE integration is studied. The study also explores especially the potential of extend grid interconnection as a flexible resource to make the power system more economical and low carbon.