Management of intermittent solar and wind energy resources: Storage and grid stabilization

Abstract

The chapter documents options for management of the intermittency of solar and wind energy resources, with the aim of supporting transition to energy sustainability with these resources. It explores different techniques for creating storage in high power and high energy systems. We review indicators to support the decision on the selection of these storage options combined or not to grid management strategies. Our results show that flywheel is more appropriate in short-term high power storage given its low investment cost and its power density per cubic metre. For long-term energy storage, still considering the investment cost and power density per cubic metre, hydrogen, and hydraulic pumping are the best options. The smart management of storage options can significantly reduce the impact of solar and wind resources intermittency on the stability of the grid.