Shock of the new: how the UK’s electricity grid is wrestling with renewables

Abstract

For the first time ever, during 2016 the UK generated more electricity from wind than from burning coal. And 9GW worth of solar generating capacity has recently been added to the power system. This is great news in terms of cutting carbon emissions, but it has thrown up novel problems that are forcing a complete rethink of the way the UK’s electrical system works, including the way it is regulated and priced.