Could the Electric Grid Support Far More Wind and Solar?

[IDemo]

By Alexis Madrigal -Wired News
December 18, 2008 | 3:27:14 PM

SAN FRANCISCO — The electric grid may be able to handle more wind and solar power — way more — than previously thought, according to a new preliminary study.

The commonly accepted wisdom in the energy industry is that the grid could only draw something like 20 percent of its power from wind and solar resources before encountering major reliability problems. But the new power flow simulation (.pdf), presented for the first time this week at the American Geophysical Union meeting, shows that, at least in California, the power grid might be able to handle three times that much renewable energy without encountering major trouble pushing electrons around the state.

"This work has shown that at least 70 percent of the total projected California generation on a summer day in 2016 could be provided by renewable sources ... with relatively minimal upgrades to the transmission infrastructure," wrote Elaine Hart, a Stanford doctoral student, in her presentation. "This study demonstrates the grid-feasibility of a renewable portfolio that far exceeds the target set by the the governor of California."

While these findings are preliminary and only cover a single state, they could help overturn long-held ideas about the plausibility of a world powered by solar and wind plants. The electric grid has remained basically the same since it was built out over the first half of the century. Many people have called for its modernization, by which they mean the addition of new sensors, two-way communication and switches to allow for more sophisticated power routing.

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/12/could-the-elect.html

[kristopher]

1. Absolute must read!!!

And for those on the EE forum - note who the authors are at the second link. HA!

They are actually both correct. Some regions are well positioned to add renewables, but others are going to need some restructuring. All areas are going to require greater integration of IT technology.

When we started messing around with renewables the max penetration without trouble was thought to be 5%, as the actual penetration increases that number inevitably rises as we better understand the dynamics at work. Spain just toped 45% an and that is an old barrier that Denmark has long past.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. If you followed Enron's attacks of the California grid

which should be considered treason, then you can see the vulnerability.
of our energy systems. A company could shut down one of the major
economic regions in the world to play it for money. I don't think so.


The energy gird system in California is advanced as compared to other places
since it has three major grids and at least ten minor.

The grid cannot be privatized as a commodity for Enron to play with again.

Important post
NOMINATED.

[elifino]

3. I am all for adding wind, solar, wave etc. to the mix

The thing we must consider is that some form of energy storage must be developed at the same time, as well and upgrading some areas of the electrical grid. The reason for this is as you all know is that the sun only shines during the daytime, the wind does not always blow, power from wave and or low flow capable hydro turbines is somewhat variable. Until these conditions are met the power generation plants now operating will still have to be staffed 24/7 and have somewhat of a narrow operating range and need time to respond to the large change in demand. In the long term if we come up with clean power generation and adequate storage the cost should be lower and the environment cleaner. In the short term cost will be somewhat higher.

elifino

[GliderGuider]

4. Very interesting. n/t

[jpak]

5. K&R and bookmarked

Take that renewable haters...

:evilgrin:

[GliderGuider]

6. Keep kicking that strawman. He'll sucumb eventually.

[Laelth]

7. Perhaps it could.

It's still a bad idea.

Wind power BLOWS.

:hi:

-Laelth

[diane in sf]

8. Part of our new energy deal should be to build a smart grid, ala the internet.

Also the idea of the plug-in car as an energy storage and release mechanism will contribute to energy balancing.

[hunter]

9. California has a lot of hydro, both sources & sinks.

For example, the California Aquaduct which transfers water from Northern to Southern California pumps less water over the mountains when energy demand is high, and more when it is low, and there's quite a bit of storage at higher elevations along the way. We also have a large number of fairly nimble natural gas power plants.

In one way or another the system has always been designed with the expectation that more sophisticated network controls would be added later as needed.