A Methodology for Designing Future Zero-Carbon Electricity Systems with Smart Grid and Its Application to Kansai Area, Japan

Abstract

Zero-carbon power sources including renewable and nuclear energy are expected to be increasingly rapidly integrated into future electricity systems in Japan. On the other hand, one of the most crucial elements of future electricity systems will be the capability for “smart” controls on both supply and demand sides to perform under real-time dynamics. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to propose a methodology for designing zero-carbon electricity systems with smart grids. The methodology is organized into an input-output framework, and is realized using an hour-by-hour computer simulation to achieve a supply-demand balance in real time subject to various constraints. The methodology is developed as an operable software platform, and it is applied to Kansai area, Japan as a case study to test its practical feasibility. Scenarios with different energy mix in supply side and electric devices in demand side are proposed using the methodology. The analysis result shows that in future electricity systems, controllable loads are helpful for integrating zero-carbon power sources; effective and low cost smart control technologies, batteries, hydrogen storage and fuel cell technologies are crucial for realizing the desired zero-carbon electricity systems. Finally, the practical availability of the proposed methodology is proven through the case study.