Empowering Variable Renewables Options for Flexible Electricity Systems

March 19, 2018

Increasing the share of renewables in energy portfolios is key to reducing global CO2 emissions. Variable renewables, such as wind, wave, tidal, solar and run-of-river hydro, share a characteristic that distinguishes them from conventional sources of energy: their output varies according to the availability of the resource. This variability represents an additional challenge in terms of their integration in power systems. However, if a power system is sufficiently flexible, the significance of variability is reduced. A flexible electricity system is one that can respond reliably and rapidly to large fluctuations in supply and demand. Some flexibility already features in electricity systems: in the generation portfolio, in markets, in transmission and distribution, and in the shape of electricity demand.

Spotlight

Origin Energy

Origin is proudly Australia's leading integrated energy company – exploring, generating and delivering energy solutions locally and internationally. We deliver today's energy needs to more than 4 million electricity, natural gas and LPG customers, making us Australia's largest energy retailer.

OTHER WHITEPAPERS
news image

Delivering EU energy security through climate action

whitePaper | September 15, 2022

This report draws on insights and analysis by a number of experts to consider whether and how the EU would be able to deal with a full cut off from Russian gas supplies going into the winter of 2022 and out to 2025 without jeopardizing medium-term energy and climate targets. The report covers the nature of the EU’s security of supply challenge, an assessment of the levers which can address this challenge in the short- and mid-term, and recommendations on specific actions for European states to take.

Read More
news image

THE ENERGY BOMB

whitePaper | September 2, 2022

Cryptocurrency mining is an extremely energy-intensive process that threatens the ability of governments across the globe to reduce our dependence on climate-warming fossil fuels. If we do not take action to limit this growing industry now, we will not meet the goals set forth by the Paris Agreement and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to limit warning to 2 degrees Celsius. And cryptocurrency mining operations harm local communities now, including by increasing local pollution and impacting electricity rates and delivery. In our paper, we discuss several such examples where fossil-fueled cryptocurrency mining has increased local air, water, and noise pollution, increased costs on others, and increased climate pollution at a time when we should be doing everything in our power to move in the opposite direction to mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

Read More
news image

Utilities must focus on key energy transitiontechnology gaps to support grid stability

whitePaper | August 30, 2022

New renewable generation capacity is important as utilities retire existing coal plants. But often these new solar and wind resources are far from urban or industrial centers where the energy is needed, presenting transmission and distribution challenges. Utilities must find reliable methods to incorporate the energy mix from these green energy sources and maintain grid flexibility, while balancing supply and demand.

Read More
news image

SOLAR PROJECTS SHAPING THE INDUSTRY

whitePaper | November 21, 2019

Solar is just 1.6 percent of US energy generation, but it’s on a steep and steady upward growth curve along with other forms of renewable energy. There were a million solar installations in the United States in 2016, and analysts project four million by 2023.

Read More
news image

PLANNING MOZAMBIQUE’S OPTIMAL POWER SYSTEM EXPANSION

whitePaper | November 1, 2022

Mozambique has the largest power generation potential in the entire Southern African region thanks to its vast and largely untapped gas, hydro, wind and solar resources. Despite this huge generation potential only 38.6%1) of its population had access to electricity in 2021. The total installed power capacity in Mozambique stood at around 2,800 MW in the year 2021 whereas the peak demand reported by the state-owned energy utility Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) was at 1,035 MW. Over 50% of the total electricity demand is originating from the capital area Maputo and the surrounding southern part of the country, while only around 20%2) of the population.

Read More
news image

How to make the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles smart

whitePaper | November 30, 2022

Renewable energies and the increasing emergence of electric vehicles are putting a strain on the electricity grid. The former are not constantly available, and the latter require additional energy while charging. This leads to the need for introducing a new, smart charging infrastructure to avoid instabilities at the grid level. This white paper explains what is involved in making a charging infrastructure truly “smart” and what obstacles can be expected along the way. It also outlines why vehicle owners do not need to fear batteries degradation, and which semiconductor devices and other supporting technologies Infineon provides for such applications.

Read More

Spotlight

Origin Energy

Origin is proudly Australia's leading integrated energy company – exploring, generating and delivering energy solutions locally and internationally. We deliver today's energy needs to more than 4 million electricity, natural gas and LPG customers, making us Australia's largest energy retailer.

Events