Integrated Energy Planning with a High Share of Variable Renewable Energy Sources for a Caribbean Island

Dominik Dominković,Bri-Mathias Hodge,Greg Stark,Allan Pedersen

doi:10.3390/en11092193

Dominik Dominković, Bri-Mathias Hodge + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en11092193

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Abstract

Although it can be complex to integrate variable renewable energy sources such as wind power and photovoltaics into an energy system, the potential benefits are large, as it can help reduce fuel imports, balance the trade, and mitigate the negative impacts in terms of climate change. In order to try to integrate a very large share of variable renewable energy sources into the energy system, an integrated energy planning approach was used, including ice storage in the cooling sector, a smart charging option in the transport sector, and an excess capacity of reverse osmosis technology that was utilised in order to provide flexibility to the energy system. A unit commitment and economic dispatch tool (PLEXOS) was used, and the model was run with both 5 min and 1 h time resolutions. The case study was carried out for a typical Caribbean island nation, based on data derived from measured data from Aruba. The results showed that 78.1% of the final electricity demand in 2020 was met by variable renewable energy sources, having 1.0% of curtailed energy in the energy system. The total economic cost of the modelled energy system was similar to the current energy system, dominated by the fossil fuel imports. The results are relevant for many populated islands and island nations.

Highlights

Following the Paris agreement, nations across the globe have decided to take actions to mitigate global warming by well under 2 ◦ C [1]
Using the integrated energy modelling approach described in this paper, an energy system with a significant amount of variable renewable energy was simulated at a cost similar to the traditional, fossil fuel-based energy system in the Caribbean
The study focused on the operational planning of the energy system with a large share of variable renewable energy sources, adopting a 5 min time resolution

Summary

Introduction

Following the Paris agreement, nations across the globe have decided to take actions to mitigate global warming by well under 2 ◦ C [1]. In order to achieve that goal, a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will need to be attained [2]. Renewable energy sources can achieve three different targets, reducing GHG emissions, providing a more affordable energy system in the long term, and securing an energy supply, the three pillars of the European Union’s plan for the energy transition [3]. The security of the energy supply is especially important for islands and islanded countries, even more so if they do not have transmission connections with neighbouring countries. Many island countries depend on GHG emission-rich diesel generators, which leads to a large consumption of fuel oil and diesel, and their associated GHG emissions [4]. Many islands have expensive oil-based energy systems in place, meaning that their transition towards

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