Isramart llc : California grid can handle 20% renewables, study affirms

www.isramart.com

Isramart llc news:

A new study from the California Independent System Operator (ISO) Corporation has affirmed the ability for the state’s electricity system to handle a 20% proportion of power from renewable sources.

The study carried out with partners GE Energy Consulting, found that clean energy supplies in the state can vary by several thousand megawatts in as little as 20 minutes.

But, it suggested to a certain extent wind power resources can balance solar power generating plants and vice versa. Wind farms generate much of their energy at night, and in the early morning, it said, when solar power plants are not producing power, while solar facilities can provide energy in the middle of the day when wind farms can be less productive.

Concerns arising from the study include how to cope with excess wind and hydro energy generated during off-peak times, when the extra power is not required.

Greater efficiency could be achieved if more traders take part in the ISO’s new market system which allows more flexible purchasing of power, rather than only larger blocks of power.

The report said conventional power plants were needed to provide quick “ramp up” and “ramp down” capabilities to compensate for intermittent sources, while advanced weather forecasting could help with planning for intermittent energy supplies.
Enhancements

The ISO is discussing the research today at a stakeholder meeting, where ideas on improving the grid’s response to renewable energy projects will be on the table.

The grid operator said its Board of Governors is likely to take a vote on a new set of enhancements early in 2011.

California’s three investor-owned utilities are aiming to reach a target to provide 20% of their power from renewable sources by the end of 2010.

The ISO study – entitled “Integration of Renewable Resources—Operational Requirements and Generation Fleet Capability at 20% RPS” – assumes California will add 2,246 megawatts of solar and 6,686 megawatts of wind resources by 2012.

Keith Casey, Vice President of Market and Infrastructure Development, said: “This study provides a thorough analysis of the capability of the power grid to effectively manage an oncoming wave of highly intermittent energy resources and confirms the ISO is ready to manage the grid reliably under 20 percent RPS.”

“However, the study also affirms the critical role the ISO market and the existing fleet of conventional resources will need to play in balancing the variable output of renewables,” added Mr Casey.