Solar PV Penetration Research Articles

The Res-Induced Switching Effect Across Fossil Fuels: An Analysis of the Italian Day- Ahead and Balancing Prices and Their Connected Costs

The massive introduction of RES in electricity markets has influenced the long-run dynamics of electricity prices and their interactions with conventional thermal production sources. Taking into account the Northern Italian zone characterized by a high solar PV and hydro penetration, we firstly provide empirical evidence on the fuels-electricity nexus across two samples characterized by low (2006-08) and high (2013-15) RES levels, both in the day-ahead and balancing markets. Then, we estimate the costs for balancing power disentangling for technologies and comparing their dynamics across specific hours in both samples. We show that the fuels-electricity nexus has changed significantly in the day-ahead sessions and selectively in the balancing sessions. We also find evidence of high balancing prices that we interpret as a signal of strategic use of real time sessions by conventional producers. Our findings suggest policy makers to carefully monitor all trading sessions, especially those close to real time, to avoid the exercise of market power by few operators allowed to guarantee system security and to promptly adopt a capacity market.

Agent-based unified approach for thermal and voltage constraint management in LV distribution network

Rapid proliferation of the distributed energy resources (DERs) poses operational challenges for the low-voltage (LV) distribution networks in terms of thermal overloading of the network assets along with voltage limit violations at the connection points. A number of market-based and direct control approaches have been widely developed to tackle these challenges with different objectives. While most of the techniques aim to solve the problems separately, an integrated and efficient method is missing to handle such correlated issues simultaneously. In this study, a unified approach combining local voltage control mechanism with a centralized congestion management scheme is proposed by utilizing an agent-based hierarchical architecture. The feasibility of the proposed approach is validated with a simulation analysis for a representative Dutch urban LV network considering up to 100% penetration of solar PV and electric heat pumps (HPs). The quantitative analysis reveals that, local voltage control strategies can essentially aid mitigating thermal overloading of the network assets. Thus, integrating a local voltage control method with a coordinated congestion management mechanism can enhance the system flexibility while maintaining the network constraints and the comfort levels of the consumers simultaneously.

Endogenous Assessment of the Capacity Value of Solar PV in Generation Investment Planning Studies

There exist several different reliability- and approximation-based methods to determine the contribution of solar resources toward resource adequacy. However, most of these approaches require knowing in advance the installed capacities of both conventional and solar generators. This is a complication since generator capacities are actually decision variables in capacity planning studies. In this paper, we study the effect of time resolution and solar PV penetration using a planning model that accounts for the full distribution of generator outages and solar resource variability. We also describe a modification of a standard deterministic planning model that enforces a resource adequacy target through a reserve margin constraint. Our numerical experiments show that at least 50 days worth of data are necessary to approximate the results of the full-resolution model with a maximum error of 2.5% on costs and capacity. We also show that the amount of displaced capacity of conventional generation decreases rapidly as the penetration of solar PV increases. We find that using an exogenously defined and constant capacity value based on time-series data can yield relatively accurate results for small penetration levels. For higher penetration levels, the modified deterministic planning model better captures avoided costs and the decreasing value of solar PV.

A SAX-Based Advanced Computational Tool for Assessment of Clustered Rooftop Solar PV Impacts on LV and MV Networks in Smart Grid

Future distribution networks with increasing level of solar PV penetration will be managed using smart grid technologies capable of producing appropriate and timely response during normal and abnormal operational events. Distribution feeder loads vary throughout the day according to the trend of consumption of the customers. Solar PV outputs fluctuate in proportion to irradiance level of sun. Simultaneous occurrence of both of these variations would result in various operating conditions that may lead to unexpected events, and would require a large amount of network data to be processed and analyzed for decision making. It is envisaged that such data will be available in the future grids with the availability of smart technologies and advanced communication in residential dwellings, commercial buildings and industrial complexes. In this paper, an advanced intelligent computational tool is developed to characterize and analyze the large amount of data associated with wide variations in network behavior using SAX (Symbolic Aggregate Approximation) and pattern recognition. The proposed tool is capable of dealing with network asymmetry, load unbalance, single-phase solar PV integration and their impacts on upstream networks and will assist in making right and timely decision to mitigate adverse impacts of solar PV. The proposed tool has been tested with a practical three-phase distribution system in Australia and can provide an extensive assessment with less computational efforts and time.

Overcoming Challenges to High Penetration of Solar PV: Using Optimized Energy Storage and Distribution Grid Controls

Existing technologies can mitigate voltage fluctuation and reverse power flow effectively. At the same time, complementing solar PV with energy storage resources and flexible loads creates opportunities to earn new revenues from wholesale electricity markets, enhancing both the reliability value and the monetary value of these clean energy resources.

Impacts of CO2 emission constraints on penetration of solar PV in the Bangladesh power sector

This paper examines the impacts of CO2 emission reduction targets and carbon tax on future technologies selection especially solar PV and energy use in Bangladesh power sector during 2005–2035. It also examines the co-benefits of energy security of the country. The analyses are based on a long-term energy system optimization model of Bangladesh using the MARKAL framework. The results of the study show that on a simple cost base, power generated from solar PV is not yet competitive with that of fossil fuel-based power plants. Alternative policies on CO2 emission constraints reduce the burden of imported fuel, improve energy security and reduce environmental impacts. The results show that the introduction of the CO2 emission reduction targets and carbon tax directly affect the shift of technologies from high carbon content fossil-based to low carbon content fossil-based and clean solar PV technologies compared to the base scenario. The cumulative net energy imports during 2005–2035 would be reduced in the range of 33–61% compared to the base scenario. The total primary energy requirement would be reduced in the range of 4.5–22.37% and the primary energy supply system would be diversified. Solar PV plays an important role in achieving reasonable energy security.